Mayor Ras Baraka joined the United Community Corporation and the city’s Center for Hope to officially open the Hyatt Courts community refrigerator on Wednesday. The community refrigerator program aims to tackle food insecurity by installing six units across all of Newark’s five wards.
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Credit: WMBC
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As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, our mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment to our food-insecure neighbors throughout North Jersey. We rescue millions of pounds of fresh food annually that would otherwise be wasted and deliver it to partner organizations who support the nearly 1 million people in our area who need it most.
Together, we can reduce food waste in our home and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort—no matter how small–leads to change.
Newark, NJ—July 17, 2024—Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined United Community Corporation (UCC) today to cut the ribbon to open the Hyatt Center of Hope’s community refrigerator. The Center of Hope is located at 11 Hawkins Court.
UCC partnered with the city and Table to Table to develop the refrigerator food service and made the first delivery to stock it immediately before the event today. Future deliveries will be made by Table to Table.
Attendees included the H.I.P.P. Afterschool Program, the Devils Youth Foundation, Yendor Arts, and more than 30 youth participating in the city’s summer camp program. The Hyatt Center of Hope is currently expanding to address the needs of senior citizens.
“A basic need of human beings is nourishment, both for the body and the soul,” said Mayor Baraka. “By providing this refrigerator and its contents 24/7 to the neighbors here in the East Ward, we meet both needs, as we feed and affirm the value of these residents to our citywide community. Newark is shrinking our food deserts neighborhood by neighborhood, and infusing these areas with healthful meal essentials to build strong, healthy individuals and families, and improve their quality of life.”
UCC is also providing additional staffing and resources for the center, which provides programs to 30 youth during the school year and 34 during the summer.
“With the installation of our seventh community refrigerator, UCC is taking a pivotal step in combating food insecurity in Newark,” said UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor. “Together, we are ensuring that Newark families have reliable access to fresh and nutritious food, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the well-being and resilience of our community. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Center of Hope, Table to Table and Newark Housing Authority to help bring healthy food directly to communities that need it most.”
The UCC Community Refrigerator program is tackling food insecurity head-on with units that are installed across each of Newark’s five wards. UCC YouthBuild students, under the guidance of a construction manager, design, build and install each of the community refrigerator structures. The refrigerators provide residents with around-the-clock access to staple goods such as milk, juice, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables, all at no cost.
“As a food rescue nonprofit that has been working in New Jersey for 25 years, Table to Table is committed to keeping quality food out of landfills and ensuring that is reaches communities where it’s most needed,” said Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson. “Our goal is to get healthy food into neighborhoods as efficiently as possible, and we’re grateful to partner with the City of Newark and UCC on this wonderful initiative, to make sure this refrigerator remains stocked with fresh, nutritious items. We invite residents to volunteer with us to assist with the twice-weekly transports so we can keep our neighbors nourished.”
“I want to thank the Mayor and all those involved in making this day happen,” said East Ward Council Member Michael J. Silva. “It’s a great day for the City and a great day for the East Ward. As Council Member of the East Ward, it is important to make sure that my residents have a quality of life – a meaning a place to live, are safe, but also making sure they have food on the table. Many people are suffering in today’s society with the cost of housing and groceries. Putting a decent meal on the table for their families is sometimes impossible. But today is a prime example of how the City of Newark, with its seventh food refrigerator, is always putting its residents first.”
Food insecurity is an issue that reaches each of Newark’s five wards. In 2022, sections of each ward were designated as “food deserts” by the state Economic Development Authority. A food desert is defined as a region where people have limited access to healthy and affordable food.
“As a parent and a community leader who thrives on success, there is no worse feeling than trying to comfort or care for a child that’s hungry. Did you know that a child that’s hungry has a harder time trying to listen or learn? We are delighted to have this community refrigerator at the Hyatt Court Hope Center location, which encompasses unity, growth, love, compassion, and honor. I look forward to watching this program grow like flowers throughout the City of Newark and I take pride in knowing that children and families will be positively affected by it,” said Ms. Mincey.
The initiative expanded since UCC’s first refrigerator was installed at 106 Ann Street in the city’s East Ward. In addition to the recent launch of the community refrigerator at Hyatt Court, the agency currently operates units in Newark outside Fulton Street Emergency Shelter at 31 Fulton Street, The Village Housing Complex at 332 South 8th Street, La Casa de Don Pedro at its 39 Broadway location, in the Shani Baraka Women’s Center, and at 1916 Springfield Avenue, in Maplewood.
UCC’s community refrigerator program is made possible through the support of various partners including the Devils Youth Foundation, the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, Wellpoint, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, MEND, Investors Bank, and the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey.
Alongside this effort, UCC hosts routine distribution events in the city. Fresh groceries and boxed foods are a staple at any event, while providing other outreach resources.
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NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) — A new community food pantry has opened in Newark, providing not only canned goods, but fresh items, including meat and dairy.
“These community refrigerators are essentially accessible 24/7,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table. “The beauty of the refrigerator is that it can stock those items that tend to be more expensive and more difficult for people to get.”
Credit: PIX11
An organization in Newark is hoping to address and reduce food insecurity with the installation of a new community refrigerator. The newest community refrigerator just opened at Hyatt Court.
All of the items inside are free for those in need in the community.
“It’s about getting the right food to the right communities at the right time and this model of community refrigerators that are accessible 24/7 for the neighbors right here is truly as good as it gets,” said Heather Thompson, the Executive Director for Table to Table. “This model allowed people to not have to worry about whether their work schedule is at the same time as this week’s distribution or whether they need to find child care, so they can go stand in line and wait for food. They can come get what they need when they need it.”
The refrigerator is a collaborative effort between the United Community Corporation, Table to Table, and the Hyatt Center of Hope.
There are seven community refrigerators in total – six of them in Newark and one in Maplewood. They provide around-the-clock access to staple goods such as milk, juice, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to those in need.
“It’s an opportunity for people in the community to get access to this food a couple of times a week without pay, as long as it is available. Especially with the high cost of living and the high cost of groceries, the high cost of rent – the high cost of everything in this country, in this state,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “This makes this incredibly important now than any other time.”
The Community Refrigerator at Hyatt Court will be stocked by Table to Table on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Credit: News 12 New Jersey
Food insecurity is a significant problem that affects a large number of students worldwide on college campuses. Food insecurity is defined as the inability to consistently obtain enough reasonably priced, wholesome food. It can have a significantly impact a student’s health, academics, and general well-being.
Financial hardship is one of the main reasons why college students experience food insecurity. With housing, books, tuition, and other expenses on the rise, many students find it difficult to pay for meals, leaving little to nothing in their budgets. Additionally, providing for their dietary needs may be considerably more difficult for students from low-income families or those who are self-sufficient. Access to wholesome food is further complicated by the unpredictable schedules and time constraints that come with educational expectations, which frequently leave students with little time for work or meal preparation.
Food insecurity has profound impacts on college campuses. Physically, poor diet can result in obesity, chronic illnesses including diabetes and hypertension, malnutrition, and other health issues. Anxiety, sadness, and other psychological problems can be compounded by the stress of not knowing where their next meal will come from, which can have a negative emotional and mental impact on students. Furthermore, a student’s capacity to succeed in college and their academic achievement can both be negatively impacted by food insecurity. Students may find it challenging to concentrate in class, finish tasks, and perform well on tests as a result of cognitive function, memory, and concentration issues caused by hunger and malnutrition.
An impactful strategy is needed to address food insecurity on college campuses. Raising awareness and de-stigmatizing the problem through encouraging open discussion and offering assistance to students who require it are vital first steps.
To give students access to a variety of nutritional food options, colleges and institutions can establish programs like meal assistance programs, and food pantries. These tools must be easily available, and sensitive to cultural differences in order to fulfill the different needs of the student body.
Financial aid guidelines should also be reviewed to make sure that all students’ living costs, including food costs, are sufficiently covered. The availability of grants, and scholarships can ease financial hardships and keep students from having to decide between buying groceries
and textbooks.
Another essential component of tackling food insecurity on college campuses is community relationships. By working together with neighborhood food banks, companies, and charitable groups, colleges can reach a wider audience and give college students access to more
opportunities and resources.
In the end, eliminating food insecurity on college campuses involves a team effort that puts every student’s performance and well-being first. Through acknowledging the frequency of food insecurity, promoting changes in policy, and putting workable solutions into practice, we
may establish a more encouraging educational setting where each student has the chance to succeed.
Note: This blog was written by Steven Faussette, a former Table to Table intern
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