Author Archives: Heather Goldfarb

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 April 1 2025 

JBJ Soul Kitchen Coffee

We’re proud to introduce JBJ Soul Kitchen Coffee, now available for purchase online and at our JBJ Soul Kitchen locations in Red Bank and Toms River, NJ. Our 100% Arabica Sumatra Medium Roast features a bold, smooth flavor with rich cocoa notes. This full-bodied blend is available in both ground coffee bags and single serve beverage cups compatible with Keurig machines.

Fair Trade Certified

At JBJ Soul Kitchen, ethical sourcing practices are as important to us as they are to you. With our Fair Trade certified coffee, farmers receive fair compensation while promoting sustainable livelihoods and responsible farming.

FLAVOR

Enjoy the smooth, rich taste of our 100% Arabica Sumatra Medium Roast coffee. This full-bodied coffee is packed with flavor and a touch of cocoa, and it is sure to satisfy the most avid coffee drinker.

Coffee Creates Community

At JBJ Soul Kitchen, we know a great meal brings people together. Now you can enjoy the same coffee that we serve at home. When you purchase our delicious coffee, you know you are supporting our mission to fight food insecurity. Every warm cup makes a difference.

Ready to enjoy your first cup?
Purchase JBJ Soul Kitchen Coffee here.

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 March 3 2025 

200,000 Meals Served Across SK Red Bank and Toms River Locations

New Jersey – March 3, 2025 – JBJ Soul Kitchen is proud to announce the celebration of a significant milestone—serving its 200,000th meal. What started as one small restaurant with a big mission has grown into a community-driven initiative that proves real change is possible. Through its Pay It Forward model, JBJ Soul Kitchen has provided restaurant-quality meals to those facing food insecurity while inviting paying customers to contribute toward feeding their neighbors.

Since opening our doors, JBJ Soul Kitchen has remained committed to providing delicious three-course meals to individuals and families in need while fostering an environment where All Are Welcome to dine with dignity. The milestone of 200,000 meals served is shared between the Red Bank and Toms River locations, highlighting the ongoing impact of the initiative in New Jersey communities.

Reflecting on this milestone, Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi shared their gratitude, “When we first opened, people did not understand our unique Pay It Forward model. We are not a soup kitchen. We are not a pay-what-you-want restaurant. We are a unique Pay It Forward model where those who are unable to pay, volunteer their time. Those who can pay, pay for their meal and donate to pay it forward. Everyone has the same amazing meal. Everyone has the same fantastic experience. This model has now been proven time and time again for well over a decade.”

Watch our celebration video!

The flagship location in Red Bank, New Jersey, opened in 2011 with just 33 seats. Over the years, JBJ Soul Kitchen has expanded to include The B.E.A.T. Center in Toms River, a vibrant resource hub offering a choice food pantry in partnership with Fulfill, a culinary training program, and a JBJ Soul Kitchen. Additionally, we have locations at Rutgers University-Newark and New Jersey City University, addressing food insecurity among students.

JBJ Soul Kitchen has served 200,000 meals within its dining room setting. This number does not include the thousands of additional meals provided during crises such as Superstorm Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting local warming centers and overnight shelters during Code Blue nights.

Supporters can directly affect change by dining at JBJ Soul Kitchen’s Red Bank or Toms River locations. The mission to fight food insecurity is ongoing, and continued community involvement is essential. To contribute directly to our Pay It Forward program, visit this link

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 February 28 2025 

JBJ Soul Kitchen Named #1 Celebrity-Owned Restaurant in the U.S.

JBJ Soul Kitchen has been named the #1-rated celebrity-owned restaurant in the United States by The New York Post! This recognition is based on a study by Cases.gg, which analyzed Tripadvisor and Google reviews — with our Red Bank location earning an outstanding 93.3% five-star reviews.

For years, JBJ Soul Kitchen has remained dedicated to fighting food insecurity by providing nutritious meals in a warm, welcoming environment. Our unique pay-it-forward model allows diners to enjoy a high-quality, three-course meal regardless of their ability to pay. Those in need can dine with dignity, while others are encouraged to pay a suggested donation or volunteer their time to support our mission.

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 February 12 2025 

JBJ SOUL KITCHEN POP-UP IN TOMS RIVER

Toms River, N.J. – February 11, 2025 – JBJ Soul Kitchen, the unique nonprofit Pay It Forward restaurant, is excited to announce the opening of a new pop-up location in Toms River, New Jersey. Located at 101Washington St, in the Ocean County Library, this temporary café will serve meals to the local community while continuing JBJ Soul Kitchen’s mission of addressing food insecurity.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up will offer nutritious meals for a suggested price of $12. Diners can enjoy a variety of choices such as sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and large salads. For those on the go, an a la carte menu is also available, allowing diners to choose what they want for a lighter bite or quick lunch.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up follows the same model as our other locations. It is not a pay-what-you-want model or a soup kitchen. Customers pay for their meals and are given the opportunity to pay it forward, helping those who are unable to pay but have volunteered for their meals. All customers enjoy a delicious meal regardless of their socioeconomic status.

JBJ Soul Kitchen is deeply committed to supporting the Toms River community, especially those facing food insecurity. The new café is conveniently located near essential services such as the Toms River Bus Terminal and many businesses and organizations, such as Bright Harbor Healthcare, South Jersey Legal Services, and NJ Reentry Corporation offering critical services to those in need.

Rob Wood, Assistant General Manager of JBJ Soul Kitchen, expressed his excitement about the new location, “We are thrilled to expand our reach and serve even more members of the community. This pop-up allows us to connect with those who may not be able to visit our main location on Hooper Avenue,” which is located at The B.E.A.T. Center, a resource hub for the community. Rob continues, “Our goal is to provide a space where All Are Welcome to enjoy a nutritious meal and be part of a community where all are valued.” Guests can enjoy a delicious meal, knowing that their dining experience directly supports the mission of JBJ Soul Kitchen to feed those who need it most. “We are here to create a positive impact on the Toms River community,” Rob added. “Whether you are here for a meal, to volunteer, or to Pay It Forward, every small act helps make a big difference in someone’s life.”

Location:
Inside Ocean County Library
101 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Saturday – Monday: Closed

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 December 17 2024 

$25,000 Grant from Kohl’s Cares National Giveback Initiative

We’re excited to share that JBJ Soul Kitchen has received a $25,000 grant from Kohl’s Cares as part of their National Giveback Initiative! This generous donation will help further our mission of fighting food insecurity and bringing families and communities together through nutritious meals and community support.

The Kohl’s Cares National Giveback Initiative allows Kohl’s associates to nominate nonprofits they’re passionate about to receive a $25,000 grant. Through this program, Kohl’s Cares demonstrates its commitment to strengthening communities by supporting health and wellness initiatives nationwide. Donations are made possible through their Goods for Good merchandise program, which sells children’s books and toys and donates 100% of the net profit to charitable organizations across the country.

Thanks to this grant, JBJ Soul Kitchen can continue to serve high-quality 3-course meals to our community facing food insecurity in Monmouth County and Ocean County, where guests have the opportunity to support others in need.

We’re so grateful to our longtime partners at Kohl’s for their continued support of our mission and to their amazing employees who have spent so much of their time volunteering with us over the past several years.