In a landmark victory for public health, economic equity, and community resilience, Mayor Ras J. Baraka has celebrated the official opening of five new community-partnered city grocery stores across Newark.
The permanent locations—one in each ward of the city—represent a direct, long-term initiative to reduce food insecurity, lower household living expenses, and eliminate designated food deserts for more than 183,000 residents who need it most.
The program builds directly on the success of emergency Food Hubs deployed across the five wards during the government shutdown last winter. Recognizing the vital relief provided to local families, the city moved to establish a permanent, sustainable framework allowing residents to purchase fresh produce, dairy, meat, and dry goods at just 25 to 30 percent above wholesale cost—with no membership fees and no minimum purchase requirements.
“Food access at an affordable price is a simple good that all Newarkers, and all people, deserve,” said Mayor Baraka. “No resident of the City should feel like their family doesn’t have enough food, or that they can’t afford to get more. Our five new community-partnered city groceries deliver my promise of food access and are one of many steps we’re taking as a City to eliminate food insecurity.”
Ward-by-Ward Locations & Community Partners
To ensure deep neighborhood trust and seamless operations, each store is powered by a established non-profit organization already actively serving the ward:
- Central Ward: 312 New Street (Operated by St. James Social Service Corporation)
- North Ward: 39 Broadway Avenue (Operated by La Casa de Don Pedro)
- East Ward: 296 Ferry Street (Operated by Mantena Global Care)
- South Ward: 393 Hawthorne Avenue (Operated by Clinton Hill Community Action)
- West Ward: 503 Central Avenue (Operated by United Community Corporation)
Confronting the Food Desert Crisis with Data
The necessity for localized grocery access is backed by stark public health and economic data. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has designated four primary Food Desert Communities within Newark—all four ranking among the eight most severe out of 50 designated areas statewide:
- Newark South: Ranked 3rd most severe in New Jersey
- Newark West: Ranked 4th most severe in New Jersey
- Newark North & Central: Ranked 7th most severe in New Jersey
- Newark East: Ranked 8th most severe in New Jersey
More than 183,000 Newarkers—over half the city’s population—reside within these four designated food deserts.
Furthermore, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 37.5% of Newark adults (approximately 88,000 people) reported that the food they purchased in the past 12 months did not last and they lacked the funds to buy more. This rate is nearly 2.4 times higher than the national average of 15.9%.
Health Outcomes and Economic Stability
Limited access to fresh, whole foods is directly tied to chronic health conditions. CDC reporting indicates that adults experiencing food insecurity are two to three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. By stocking fresh produce, meats, and dairy that smaller corner markets rarely carry, the community grocery stores directly support long-term wellness.
“This represents an important step toward increasing access to healthy, affordable food for residents in underserved neighborhoods,” said Craig Mainor, Executive Director of United Community Corporation in the West Ward. “This step reflects the true power of public/private partnership and our shared commitment to promoting community wellness.”
Vesta Godwin Clark, Executive Director of St. James Social Service Corporation in the Central Ward, echoed that sentiment: “Each year, we distribute more than 401 tons of food through our Emergency Food Pantry and Soul Food Café. Having the opportunity to address food insecurity in this new and innovative way is a natural extension of the work we have been doing for more than 30 years.”
Expanding Benefits and the Future of Food Justice
To maximize access for low-income families, all five stores are actively transitioning to accept SNAP and WIC benefits.
Program oversight will be managed by the City of Newark’s Office of Sustainability, Resilience, and Community Transformation, building on foundational investments made through the Nourishing Newark Community Grants Program.
“Over the last two years, our store has served as a blueprint, inspiring a movement of non-profit-led community grocery stores across every ward in Newark,” said Clinton Hill Community Action Executive Director Khatim Sherrer El. “By uniting farmers, community gardeners, pantries, local makers, and advocates, we are creating a community food ecosystem designed to make a lasting impact where Newarkers need it most.”
