Hoboken Community Center Breaks Ground on New Choice Pantry to Transform Food Access in Hudson County
Left to right: Congressman Rob Menendez; Hudson County Director of Health and Human Services Darice Toon; Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour; Hoboken Community Center Board President Ken Nilsen; Hudson County Executive Craig Guy; Chairman of the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners Anthony L. Romano, and State Senator Raj Mukherji.
New purpose-built facility, made possible through $3.2 million investment with Hudson County, will expand access to fresh food, essential items, and dignified client-centered support
HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken Community Center (HCC), in partnership with Hudson County, officially broke ground today on the future home of the Hoboken Community Center Choice Pantry, a transformative new facility that will reimagine food access for Hudson County residents facing food insecurity.
“The Hoboken Community Center has long been committed to meeting our community where the need is greatest,” said Ken Nilsen, President of the Hoboken Community Center Board of Trustees. “As food insecurity continues to impact thousands of households across Hudson County, this project is about creating a more dignified, accessible, and effective way to meet that need. The Choice Pantry will allow families to select the foods that best meet their household needs while expanding our ability to offer healthier options, fresh produce, and consistent access to essential support.”
Community leaders, elected officials, and supporters gathered at 122 Adams Street in Hoboken to celebrate the start of construction on the new pantry, a project designed to dramatically expand the organization’s ability to serve individuals and families with dignity, choice, and greater access to healthy food.
“Hudson County is proud to invest $3.2 million into this project because food security is about more than meals — it is about dignity, health, stability, and opportunity,” said Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive. “This investment reflects Hudson County’s commitment to supporting organizations that are already doing incredible work in our communities and giving them the tools and infrastructure they need to expand their impact. I am proud that Hudson County could partner with the Hoboken Community Center on this important initiative, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have for years to come.”
Made possible through a $3.2 million investment from Hudson County, the new facility represents a significant step forward in addressing food insecurity in one of New Jersey’s most densely populated regions.
“The Hoboken Community Center already serves thousands of households, and I am proud to make this multi-million dollar investment into this new consumer-choice pantry that will allow even more residents to access the support they need in a welcoming environment,” said Anthony L. Romano, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. “Not only does this project modernize how food assistance reaches residents and families, but it also brings fresher produce, healthier options, and a more respectful experience for every person who walks through the door. I thank my fellow Commissioners for their support.”
The Hoboken Community Center currently serves more than 5,000 registered households through its pantry programs, distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and essential hygiene items each year. In addition to its food pantry, HCC operates a Personal Care Pantry, a Weekend Hunger Backpack Program serving local students, and an Affordable Housing Program providing stable housing and supportive services for 96 low-income men.
The new Choice Pantry will replace the organization’s current distribution model with a client-centered experience designed to resemble a grocery store environment, allowing individuals and families to choose foods that align with their dietary needs, cultural preferences, and household realities. The facility will include refrigeration and freezer capacity, expanded storage, improved logistics infrastructure, and the ability to significantly increase access to fresh and nutritious food.
Beyond improving the pantry experience, the purpose-built facility will create significant operational efficiencies, allowing HCC to expand service hours, strengthen partnerships with food rescue organizations and grocery partners, increase access to fresh foods, and reduce waste by ensuring clients receive food they will actually use.
Left to right: Hoboken Community Center senior leadership team members, volunteers, and staff; Executive Director Angela Sullivan; Tammy Peng; Mayor Emily Jabbour; Stephanie Serino; Becky Moore; Lynne Lowen; Director of Development Chesleigh Meade; Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher; Sally Golding; and Florence Du Puthod.