Securing The Giving Garden Network Landscape To Ensure Local NJ Families Enjoy The Basic Necessities Of Nutrition

Especially today when some subsidies seem to be in peril, caring for those who are food-insecure is serious business. And when it comes to avoiding hunger, that is one of the most critical concerns and issues many areas of South Jersey, the Jersey Shore and Neptune City face.

Food-Insecurity Is A Pressing Issue Affecting Local Communities

Hunger and food insecurity is a concern in the Jersey Shore area. Case in point, Fulfill NJ, formerly the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, reported a 79% increase in demand for food assistance compared to the previous year.

Putting this challenge into perspective, high housing costs are just part of the problem as 20% to 30% of households here earn less than $35,000 annually. However, the terrifying news is that according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the estimated annual income required for different household types in Monmouth County, New Jersey is:

Single adult: Approximately $51,500
Single adult with one child: Around $90,000
Two working adults with two children: Combined income of about $120,000

Local NJ Costs For Life’s Essentials

Housing is a large component of living expenses in the Neptune City area. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $2,598 per month on average.

As for food, grocery costs in New Jersey are about 6% higher than the national average. A single adult might spend between $300 and $500 per month on groceries, so you can only imagine what it would take to feed a growing family on the fundamental nutrients of a good diet.

Superior Fence & Rail Rises To The Occasion To Stand Guard And Protect Fresh Locally Grown Produce To Feed Those In Need

When Superior was first contacted by Fulfill NJ on how we could help protect and secure their ¼ acre garden that feeds Neptune area neighbors all year round with more than 4,000 pounds on produce, our professional security fencing team went to work to provide the perfect solution.

neptune city fence company

What needed to be protected by Superior? A lot, of significant importance including:

Dozens of garden beds with fresh produce
A heated greenhouse to cultivate new growth
A cold frame to insulate and protect the area when bad weather occurs
And an Eagle Scout-built wash station to cleanse the unearthed vegetables, fruits and herbs

Deemed The Giving Garden Network, the now secured landscape produces a vast variety of organic vegetables, from tomatoes and cucumbers to kale, figs and fresh herbs.

After the vegetables are harvested, they are loaded onto Fulfill NJ’s mobile pantry, travel to outlets serving their culinary kitchen program, or delivered to one of their agencies, promoting a farm-to-fork movement.

From Farm To Table, All Strategically Protected By Superior Fence & Rail

With far forward thinking, our engineering team thought about every conceivable issue that might arise to hinder garden growth and possibly eliminate or damage the crops.

deer resistant garden fences

After surveying the area, fence installation guideposts were placed around the Giving Garden perimeter. To ensure that no burrowing animals could enter this landscape in search of food, we trenched the outline of the entire garden and installed protective mesh.

protective garden fences

As for the garden fence itself, our fence design and installation team used welded wire fence to deter and keep out deer and other predatory animals.

Enjoy The Fruits Of The Art Of Giving

Just as Superior gave of our time, talents and energy to make this nature food oasis a reality, we too, can help support the Giving Garden. For details, you are invited to email Jess Sinkhorn at [email protected].

For your personal garden and landscape, you are also invited to contact Superior by calling (856) 519-5588, and you can also click here for your convenience.