Choosing New Jersey’s 10 best beaches was no day at the shore.

USA Today’s annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards asked beach lovers to vote on the Garden State’s top stretch of sand as part of a nationwide competition featuring coastal destinations in eight states and territories. Twenty Jersey Shore beaches made the final ballot — but only one could claim the crown.

Wildwood rode a tidal wave of votes to take the No. 1 spot, thanks to beaches stretching up to 500 yards wide that offer plenty of room for volleyball, surfing, boogie boarding and every other kind of seaside fun.

A unique beach taxi ferries visitors from the boardwalk closer to the water with their chairs and umbrellas in tow. When it’s time to leave the sand, the action shifts back to the boardwalk, where rides, games and endless food options keep the fun going.

The runner-up is Atlantic City, where the world-famous boardwalk, towering Ferris wheel, amusement rides and glittering casino skyline continue to make waves with visitors from near and far.

Surfing into third place is Sea Isle City — offering wide, soft beaches that invite visitors to stretch out under the sun before casting a line off the fishing pier or cooling off with a swim.

Cape May took the No. 4 spot with its family-friendly beaches, Victorian homes with tons of historic charm, a famous lighthouse and a bustling promenade.

At No. 5, Brigantine Beach proves nature lovers don’t have to drift far to find paradise, with scenic dunes, abundant wildlife and even the chance to drive on the sand in designated areas — with a permit.

Ocean City rolls in at No. 6, thanks to its legendary boardwalk packed with rides, games and family-friendly fun.

Catching the next wave at No. 7 is Long Beach Island, which boosts beautiful beaches, charming seaside communities and endless recreational activities.

Sliding into No. 8 is Avalon, an upscale beach town known for its soft sand, sparkling water and relaxed vibe that’s tailor-made for family vacations.

Just ahead at No. 9, Avon-by-the-Sea charms beachgoers with its tree-lined streets, Victorian homes and peaceful stretch of shoreline.

Making a splash at No. 10 is Asbury Park, where the vibrant boardwalk, live music and energetic atmosphere keep visitors coming back for an encore.

“New Jersey offers beachgoers 130 miles of coastline dotted with beaches, barrier islands, lighthouses, and scenic views. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the white sand beaches of the Jersey Shore each year, and it’s easy to see why,” USA Today wrote.

Twenty beaches made the final cut — but only one could take the crown.

TRENTON, N.J. — More than 681,000 eligible children across New Jersey will begin receiving Summer EBT benefits in the coming days as part of a permanent federal program designed to help low-income families purchase food while school is out of session.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Human Services and the New Jersey Innovation Authority, announced the distribution of the benefits with support from the New Jersey Department of Education and the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate.

Each eligible child will receive a one-time $120 Summer EBT benefit that can be used to purchase nutritious food at grocery stores, farmers markets and other authorized retailers during the summer months.

State officials expect more than $94 million in federal food assistance to be distributed through the program this summer, benefiting eligible children across 734 participating school food authorities.

“Just because the school season ends it does not mean we stop taking steps to feed students,” said Ed Wengryn, NJ Secretary of Agriculture. “Summer EBT cards provide needed financial support for families to expand food purchasing power while schools are in recess.”

Students are eligible through participating school districts if they qualify for free or reduced-price school meals or attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision. School-aged children ages 6 to 16 who are enrolled in SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, income-eligible Medicaid or foster care also qualify regardless of where they attend school.

The Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development has begun issuing new Summer EBT cards for 2026. Each eligible child will receive a separate card that can be activated and used for food purchases.

Recipients have 122 days, or approximately four months, to use the benefits before any remaining balance expires.

“As families face uncertainty about food assistance programs, Summer EBT helps ensure children continue to have access to nutritious food when school is out,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha. “This support helps families supplement their food budgets and keep healthy meals on the table during the summer break.”

State officials said data from several enrollment programs was used to identify eligible children and streamline benefit distribution.

“Perhaps no single issue is more urgent than making sure New Jersey children have access to nutritious food,” said New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. “With NJDA, we combed through enrollment information of several state programs to determine eligibility, reduced deduplication, accurately identified thousands of eligible students, and helped ensure program integrity. Thank you, again, to the Department of Agriculture and our other State partners for working to provide this assistance to New Jersey families.”

Education Commissioner Dr. Lily Laux said the program helps bridge the nutritional gap when school meal programs are unavailable.

“The Summer EBT program continues to make a meaningful difference for children across New Jersey by ensuring they have access to nutritious food when school is out,” said Dr. Lily Laux, Commissioner of Education. “School meals can be a lifeline for many students during the school year, and Summer EBT helps bridge that gap during the summer months. This support helps students stay healthy and ready to learn when they return to school in the fall.”

Mark Dinglasan, executive director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, said the program helps families manage rising grocery costs while supporting local businesses and farmers.

“As working families are navigating higher grocery bills and more, Summer EBT is a way for New Jersey to assist our students and families who rely on the nourishment and stability that school meals provide during the school year. For these families, the summer break upends their carefully managed household budgets and can create greater challenges for the steady access of food during the months when schools are closed,” said Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate. “Summer EBT is a powerful way to mitigate such challenges and has a positive ripple effect across our communities. Summer EBT supports the dignity and agency of families to shop for the nourishing foods their children need and want, in ways that make sense to them, including this year’s new eligibility to place online food orders for pickup or delivery from any retailer that accepts SNAP. Those purchases mean sales for local retailers and for our farmers who sell their harvests and products through farm stands, farmers’ markets and more. Plus, Summer EBT can supplement services families may receive from food pantries and other community-based organizations, ensuring a more sustainable way of supporting families during the summer. New Jersey is proud to be among the states that have decided to participate in Summer EBT since the start of this federal program, and I appreciate and congratulate all of the state agencies who continue to work collaboratively with each other and with communities to serve our children and families on such a large scale.”

Families can learn more about eligibility and the program by visiting www.nj.gov/summerebt/ or by contacting their local school district.

Command (6-1, 187 pounds) plays for Orebro’s junior club in the Swedish Hockey League. With the U20 Nationell team in 2025-26, he posted 17 goals and 44 points in 30 games while adding 13 points (5g-8a) in 14 playoff games. Command finished with three goals and seven points in seven games for Sweden as the top-line center in the World Under-18 Junior Championship to help his country win gold.

Command made his professional debut with six games played in the SHL while his draft stock soared late in the year.

Though Command had a good conversation with the Devils at the Combine, he was still surprised to hear his name called.

“I was just surprised and happy. Emotions all over the place,” he said. “So grateful for the people who helped me there.”

And of course, he shared his selection with his family, those who helped him get to this point.

“It means for me, pretty much the world,” he said of sharing the experience with his family. “It’s not me who’s getting drafted, it’s them also. So, I’m just happy for them also.”

Command’s family even got a chance to join him through a portion of the car wash. You know, where was asked to smile. But don’t let Command’s serious demeanor fool you. Smile or not, he’s ecstatic about how everything played out.

“As you can imagine, pretty much the best feeling for me I’ve ever had,” he said. “So, very, very happy. Very, very happy.”

And as far as his message to the organization and Devils fans, he had this to say with full-throated confidence.

“You made a good choice,” he said. “I’m happy to be here. I don’t think there’s more to it.

“I’m just getting started.”