Free Fridges, Mobile Café Ease Hunger In Newark's Food Deserts

NEWARK, NJ — It looks like a food truck. But there’s one big difference… it’s free.

The United Community Corporation recently rolled out a new way of combatting hunger in Newark: its UCC Café Mobile Feeding program.

According to the nonprofit, the UCC Café – a converted food truck – gives the group a way to bring food directly to the people who need it most. Meals are cooked and prepackaged at a kitchen on 19th Avenue, then delivered to the community via the mobile café.

In particular, the repurposed food truck helps the nonprofit reach seniors and people staying in homeless shelters, spokespeople said.

According to the nonprofit, the new program was made possible thanks to CSBG Cares Act Rapid-Cycle Impact Project funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and sponsorship from Amerigroup and the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey provided crucial guidance and support.

COMMUNITY FRIDGES

Meanwhile, the UCC also recently celebrated the opening of its second “community refrigerator,” which is located on the stoop of UCC’s administrative office at 332 South 8th Street.

Filled with necessities like bread, cereal, eggs and fresh veggies – all of which are free – it gives local residents a way to stretch their grocery budgets at a time when they need it most.

The UCC introduced its first refrigerator in January at the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey’s Wolff Memorial Presbyterian in the East Ward (106 Ann Street). There are plans to build two more in the city.

Since January, the community refrigerator project has served more than 6,000 meals. Read More: Free 'Community Refrigerators' Ease Food Insecurity In Newark

According to the UCC, the community refrigerator project was made possible thanks to support and funding from Amerigroup, the New Jersey Children’s Foundation, the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey, Newark Opportunity Youth Network, and Partners In Health. Trader Joe’s, ShopRite, Aldi, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and MEND Hunger Relief provide support through donations.

NEW SOLUTIONS TO AN OLD PROBLEM

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority released a list of the state’s top 50 designated community food deserts in February. All five wards of Newark ranked in the top eight of that list. Read More: New Jersey Has 1.5 Million People Living In 'Food Deserts,' Officials Say

Hopefully, projects like the UCC Café and the community refrigerators can make a dent in that problem, the nonprofit says.

“I’m absolutely excited for the launch of these programs, but I’m even more excited for the reaction that the community will have, knowing that there are opportunities and resources close to them that are there to address their specific needs,” UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor said.

“I’m excited to be able to do this, but I’m more excited to see the reaction for those who are able to benefit from this,” Mainor added.

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