Addressing Food Insecurity in Somerset County 2026

As the holiday season settles and we return to our regularly scheduled days, the reality of food insecurity remains unchanged for nearly 10% of our neighbors in Somerset County.

For some, this means skipping meals or having less on their plate as food prices continue to rise. For others, particularly working families who earn just above the SNAP eligibility threshold, their pantry and refrigerator may look increasingly bare as payday approaches. All of this occurs, alongside other unavoidable expenses; rent/mortgage, health insurance, prescriptions co-pays, and utility bills. 

Our food pantry partners have reported an increase in new clients in 2025, with a notable spike in November, when the SNAP benefit delay impacted the 6,800 households in Somerset County.

In response to the growing needs across the county, we have partnered not only with all Somerset County food pantries and food banks along with key non-profit partners, the Somerset County Library System, Board of Social Services, RWJUH – Healthier Somerset and several other community leaders to launch the Somerset County Food Coalition. Our goal is to prioritize a coordinated, collaborative approach to addressing food insecurity—ensuring communication remains clear and transparent, and that residents benefit from aligned, efficient services.

As we move into the new year, whether you are in need of support or in a position to help, please bookmark our Food Assistance webpage, where you can navigate the many options available to you.

Wishing you a healthy 2026 and hope the year ahead offers opportunities to contribute to the well-being of others across our community.

Kate Russo,

Planning Administrator

Division of Operations and Planning

Somerset County Dept of Human Services

Mental Health Wellness

Submitted by the Health in Action Team, Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center

Mental health wellness is grounded in a set of interconnected habits that support the body and mind.

A holistic approach to mental health wellness blends different aspects of one’s health to provide a person with the best potential outcome.

1. Nutritional Nourishment

Modern food environments—dominated by convenience and ultra‑processed options—make it difficult to consistently choose nutrient‑dense meals. Among other factors, diets high in refined sugars and processed fats have been shown to lead to a heightened risk of depressive symptoms (Jacka et al., 2017). Conversely, whole‑food dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are associated with improvements in mood, cognition, and emotional resilience (Parletta et al., 2019).

Making intentional dietary shifts does not require dramatic lifestyle changes. Strategies like planning meals in advance, buying fresh produce in manageable quantities, preparing simple lean‑protein dishes, and reducing processed snacks can meaningfully improve energy levels and emotional stability. Small, sustainable changes—rather than strict or highly restrictive diets—tend to yield the most lasting benefits.

2. Movement

Even brief bouts of exercise—as little as five minutes—have been shown to elevate mood and reduce perceived stress through increased endorphin release and improved autonomic regulation (Reed & Ones, 2006).

Movement does not need to resemble formal workouts: Parking farther from store entrances, taking the stairs when possible, or adding light stretching between tasks can increase overall activity.

Gentle practices such as yoga, tai chi, and walking provide additional benefits by strengthening the mind‑body connection, improving flexibility, and facilitating emotional grounding. Over time, these consistent habits help maintain motivation and build a reliable foundation for mental resilience.

3. Mindfulness

These practices involve intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Research supported by large meta‑analyses confirms that mindfulness‑based interventions—including mindful breathing—reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression while improving attention and emotional regulation (Goyal et al., 2014).

Integrating mindfulness into everyday life can be simple. Short check‑ins provide valuable self‑awareness: How am I feeling right now? Where is my stress showing up in my body? Pairing these moments with slow, deep breathing amplifies the calming effect by relaxing the nervous system and reducing muscular tension.

4. Quality Sleep

Adults typically need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night, yet chronic sleep restriction is increasingly common. Insufficient sleep affects energy, emotional regulation, concentration, immune function, and metabolic health (Walker, 2017).

Creating consistent sleep routines—waking and going to bed at the same time daily, limiting screens one hour before bedtime, dimming lights, and keeping the sleep environment cool—helps strengthen natural circadian rhythms.

5. Social life

When researchers study what keeps people mentally healthy throughout their lives, social connections consistently emerge as one of the most powerful protective factors. Large-scale studies following thousands of people over decades show that those with strong social ties have significantly lower rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges (Wickramaratne, et al., 2022).

6. Better Stress Management Social

Connections act as a buffer against stress. When you have people to talk to, share experiences with, and lean on during difficult times, your body’s stress response system functions more effectively. This means lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol and reduced inflammation throughout your body (Holt-Lunstad J., 2018).

7. Improved Cognitive Function Engaging in social interactions—even brief conversations—can improve cognitive performance, memory, and mental sharpness. Studies show that people who regularly socialize maintain better brain function as they age and have lower risks of cognitive decline and dementia (Santini ZI, 2020).

8. Enhanced Sense of Purpose Being connected to others gives your life meaning and purpose. When you feel valued by others and have people who depend on you (and vice versa), it creates a sense of significance that’s crucial for mental wellness.

Together, these interconnected habits create a balanced foundation that supports long-term mental wellness and empowers individuals to thrive both emotionally and physically.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, substance use or gambling challenges, please call our ACCESS Center at 908-253-3165. If this is a psychiatric emergency call Bridgeway PESS at 908-526-4100 OR

CALL the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to talk to a counselor 24/7/365

Building Recovery Capital: Recovery Friendly Workplaces

CiC for Prevention & Recovery continues to support employers through New Jersey’s inaugural Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative. Business owners, executives, and HR leaders are encouraged to attend an upcoming workshop designed to help organizations strengthen both workplace culture and overall performance by fostering supportive, stigma-free environments for employees impacted by addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges. This initiative is led by Somerset County Human Services and funded through opioid settlement resources. The workshop will be held on Thursday, January 22, from 9–11 a.m. at the Somerset County Business Partnership, 50 Division St., Suite 400, Somerville.

For registration or additional information, please contact David Martinak at dmartinak@communityincrisis.org or 973-722-5333.

Please let us know if you need anything else.

4-H:

• Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters Winter Train Show

• TOPS Camp – Registration now open!

• NJEP: We are enrolling for NJ Empower to Prevent, a virtual National Diabetes Prevention Program. If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with prediabetes, register for this FREE, year-long program by contacting us or completing the registration link https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2soUa9t5kfhGfIO  
• Wellness Wednesdays: January Wellness Wednesdays: Join us for this month’s series of FCHS Wellness Wednesday webinars! These webinars take place every Wednesday at 12:30pm. Registration is required, but is free. To see all webinars, please visit: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/wellness-wednesdays/
• Tune in to the Facebook Live videos from Somerset County Family & Community Health Sciences (RCE) this January! By doing so, you can earn up to 5 LiveWell points (Metric 14)! Be sure to check out https://www.facebook.com/SCNJFCHS/ for updates and videos! 
• MEND Healthy Together Program

• Rutgers Environmental Stewards - Registration Open

• Native Plant Winter Sowing Workshop -
  Would you like to grow your own native plants at home?

Join the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County to learn about the importance of native plants and how easy it is to grow them from seed and incorporate them in the home landscape.

We'll discuss the benefits of native plants and how sowing seeds in the winter works. Participants will make milk jug mini-greenhouses and take home a variety of locally sourced seeds from our native seed library.

Date & Time:

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

(snow date: Thursday, January 29th)

7:00-9:00 pm

Location: 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Registration is required, fee is $5.

 Please contact Jessica Shick at jshick@somersetcountynj.gov with questions.

To register, visit: https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=96579

 CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

FREE WEBINARS FOR 2026!!!

CJHRC’s mission is simple: as a HUD approved agency, we provide very low-, low- and moderate-income households with useful information and access to counseling and programs to achieve their housing, budgeting and financial goals. 

At CJHRC, all our services are completely FREE!

Easy ways to get started:

• Click Here to complete an intake
• Call a counselor – 908-446-0036
• Visit www.cjhrc.org

Follow us, CJHRC shares helpful tips and updates weekly -- like us on Facebook: Central Jersey Housing Resource Center or follow us on Instagram: @cjhrc_housing           

Below are various job opportunities available within Somerset County including with partner agencies/organizations. For all inquiries, contact the organization directly.

Below are current job openings at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center:

Care Navigator

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-101J1314

Case Manager – AOTS (P/T)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-093J1195

Case Manager – R4R

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-124J1125

Facility and Security Director

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-191P939

Gambling Disorder Clinician

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-099P750

Intake Triage Specialist

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-095J1191

Licensed Mental Health Practitioner

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-168J124

Licensed Practical Nurse

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-096J1315

Peer Specialist (CCBHC)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-016J1450

Recovery Support Specialist (STAR)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-179J1126

If you require assistance completing the online employment application, you may contact Human Resources at employment@co.somerset.nj.us or 908.231.7120.