Project DASH Celebrates 5,000th Meal Delivery Milestone in South Jersey

DoorDash Dashers finished more than 5,000 deliveries of food to those who needed help across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. This happened through a joint effort with the Food Bank of South Jersey. Wednesday brought a ceremonial delivery where state and county leaders came to mark this achievement.

Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleisher attended alongside Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, and heads from both groups. The event took place on April 29.

"This partnership between the Food Bank of South Jersey and DoorDash helps ensure that residents throughout Camden County have reliable access to nutritious food," said Commissioner Cooley Fleisher, according to Camden County. "The Board of Commissioners extends its deepest gratitude to FBSJ and DoorDash and congratulates them on this impressive milestone."

Project DASH lets food banks, pantries, and healthcare groups work with Dashers and tap into DoorDash systems to bring deliveries straight to neighbors. DoorDash started the program back in 2018. Since then, it powered the delivery of over 8 million trips carrying an estimated 135 million meals across the U.S. and Canada, saving recipients over 5 million hours.

The Food Bank of South Jersey tapped into this program to widen its reach. The group provides nutrition to seniors through its Senior Nutrition Resource Supplement program and backs those struggling with food insecurity through its network of agencies and mobile pantries.

FBSJ also turned to Project DASH for medically tailored nutrition work, bringing healthy, prescribed food to participants. This knocks down transportation and mobility roadblocks while boosting health results.

"Food access looks different for everyone. For some, getting nutritious food delivered to their door isn't a convenience, it's how they stay nourished and connected to the support they need," said Jane Asselta, president and CEO of the Food Bank of South Jersey, according to NJBIA. "DoorDash's Project DASH has made that possible for neighbors across our region, and we're grateful for a partner who shows up for South Jersey the way they do."

Alex Spyropoulos, head of New Jersey Public Policy at DoorDash, said the company was honored to back FBSJ's mission. "Our partnership with the Food Bank of South Jersey is a powerful example of how technology and community can come together to fight hunger," Spyropoulos said. "Surpassing 5,000 local deliveries underscores our shared commitment to ensuring that every neighbor has access to the food they need with the dignity and convenience of home delivery."

The work gets backing in part from the New Jersey Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and a $7,500 Project DASH Impact Grant.