Support Local New Jersey Food Banks through the Bake for Good Initiative

Andrea Lekberg of Morristown’s The Artist Baker had long sought a way to bring awareness to local bakeries and also help families in need. After discussing with other local bakers a way to “bake for good”—donating a portion of bakery sales to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey or a local food bank of choice, Lekberg launched the initiative this past September during Hunger Action Month.

“I thought this would be a great way to have people think about their local bakeries and support the food bank,” Lekberg says, noting that summer isn’t an easy time for bakers. “It was a hard summer, and costs went up, so I was glad for whoever signed up.” Five bakeries around the state participated along with The Artist Baker, including The Baker’s Grove (Shrewsbury), CocoLuxe Fine Pastries (Peapack), Three Daughters Baking (Maplewood), Verrilli’s Bakery (Moristown), offering donations on certain days or for certain items, and raised more than $5,000 throughout September. Lekberg hopes to see the concept grow among bakeries in the coming years. “My goal is a community of bakeries involved.”

• cfbnj.org/event/bake-for-good