NATIONAL GRID
Community Offshore Wind Supports New Jersey Fisheries and Combats Hunger by Donating Over 60,000 Seafood Meals

• Community Offshore Wind is increasing access to fresh, healthy, sustainable seafood in overburdened communities

• 5,800 pounds of fresh, locally-sourced fish and over 13,000 cans of clam chowder were donated to 10 hunger relief organizations across the state in partnership with New Jersey-based seafood processors

In an effort to support communities across New Jersey this summer, Community Offshore Wind partnered with 10 hunger relief organizations across the state to distribute more than 60,000 meals of fresh, locally-sourced seafood to families in need. Community Offshore Wind collaborated with New Jersey-based seafood processors to donate more than 5,800 pounds of fish and 50,000 servings of clam chowder, helping to alleviate food insecurity and ensure equitable access to healthy, fresh food.

Participating hunger relief organizations included MEND Hunger Relief Network, the Interfaith Food Pantry Network (Morris County), CUMAC (Passaic County), Franklin Food Bank (Somerset County), Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Wind Port Catholic Charities of Penns Grove Food Pantry, Victory Assembly of God in Pittsgrove, Community Food Bank of NJ, Monmouth-Fulfill Food Bank, and Bethel Commandment Church. 

"We understand the vital role that local fisheries play in hunger relief efforts throughout our region," said Pat Johnson, Vice President and Deputy Project Director of Community Offshore Wind. "During the summer season, we are aiming to increase access to sustainable and healthy seafood for families in overburdened communities. In addition to helping families in need, we are proudly supporting fisheries in New Jersey, contributing to maintaining active working waterfronts and employment opportunities for the fishery supply chain."

New Jersey commercial and recreational fishing industries are among the top 10 largest in the nation, and are a critical part of the state's economy, generating a total economic impact of more than $3 billion, and supporting more than 52,000 jobs for New Jersey workers. 

"We are exceptionally grateful to Community Offshore Wind for partnering with us to deliver fresh meals to hunger relief organizations across New Jersey, helping to support those who need it most and providing enough food for 60,000 meals for New Jersey families," said Robin Peacock, Executive Director of MEND Hunger Relief Network, which works to combat hunger and food insecurity across the state. "Right now, more than 650,000 people in New Jersey face food insecurity - including nine percent of New Jersey children and seven percent of our total population. Every family and household should have access to healthy food, and this donation is a remarkable, much-needed step toward helping overburdened communities reach that goal."

The donation builds on Community Offshore Wind's December donation of 30,000 meals to food banks across New York State to provide holiday meals to New Yorkers and their families. Community Offshore Wind continues to support and invest in the communities it serves, and previously facilitated the donation of more than 100 emergency care packages and more than 500 pieces of clothing to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission; a partnership with the Littoral Society to clean Sandy Hook Beach for Earth Day; and ongoing engagement with community leaders across the state, to better understand how to ensure the clean energy transition delivers benefits to every New Jersey household.

About Community Offshore Wind

RWE and National Grid Ventures, will bring clean energy to the Northeastern US in a joint venture called Community Offshore Wind. They will develop offshore wind on the largest parcel in the New York Bight with the potential to host 3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is enough to power more than one million US homes and businesses. The project is expected to be in operation by the end of 2030. Community Offshore Wind is dedicated to investing in communities by bringing clean energy jobs to the region and growing the local economy. They will deliver sustainable energy safely, reliably, and efficiently to the communities they serve.

About RWE

RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With an extensive investment and growth strategy, the company will expand its powerful, green generation capacity to more than 50 gigawatts internationally by 2030. RWE is investing more than 50 billion gross for this purpose in this decade. The portfolio is based on offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydro plants, hydrogen, batteries, biomass, and gas. RWE Supply & Trading provides tailored energy solutions for large customers. RWE has locations in the attractive markets of Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. The company wants to phase out coal by 2030. RWE employs around 19,000 people worldwide and has a clear target: to get to net zero by 2040. On its way there, the company has set itself ambitious targets for all activities that cause greenhouse gas emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that these emission reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement. Very much in the spirit of the company's purpose: Our energy for a sustainable life.

About National Grid Ventures

National Grid is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people throughout our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision.

National Grid Ventures (NGV) is the non-regulated division of National Grid plc, one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. NGV operates outside of National Grid's core regulated businesses in the US and UK where it develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of a clean energy future. NGV's diverse portfolio of low carbon and renewable energy businesses across the UK, Europe and US includes subsea electricity interconnectors, wind and solar power, and battery storage. For more information, visit https://www.nationalgrid.com/national-grid-ventures.