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"Where food is shared, communities are strengthened."
Hon. Mayor Ras J. Baraka
City of Newark
Community Grocery Store Locations
About Newark's Community Grocery Stores
Food is a Human Right: Helping Newarkers Access Affordable, Healthy Food
Mayor Ras J. Baraka launched the citywide community grocery stores on September 10, 2026, building on the success of Nourishing Newark, the city's efforts to provide funding to community-based organizations addressing food insecurity and ongoing food distributions following the COVID-19 pandemic and the more recent SNAP benefit payment delays. There are now four new stores plus Clinton Hill Community Action's store, which opened two years ago and is now being replicated by the City in each Ward.
Who can shop at the stores?
The stores are open to ALL NEWARK RESIDENTS. You don't have to shop at the store in your Ward. You can visit any store. However, it's best to go to the store in your Ward, as that store operator will carry foods that are popular in your community and be able to connect you with available resources closer to home. There are NO INCOME RESTRICTIONS to shop.
What do the stores carry?
In the first phase of opening, we decided to focus on HOUSEHOLD STAPLES and PRODUCE, like meats and poultry, fresh vegetables and fruit, canned goods, cereals, diapers, feminine products, and more. Shop with us, get a few things at a discount, and use your cost savings to fill your other needs at a local grocer.
We need YOU!
Visit one of our stores, send us a message on how you can help, stop by your neighborhood store to volunteer!
Take 5-minutes to complete our Community Food Survey here!
This is only the beginning: More coming soon!
What will be offered at the stores?
The stores use a mutual aid model, where people who can afford to pay more to help subsidize the costs of foods and goods for those who need a little extra help. This revenue, collected through annual store membership fees, allows the stores to offer steep discounts of about 20-40% less than other grocers and local retailers. These costs are also underwritten by the nonprofit organizations leading each store, which are leveraging their existing space and staff to lower the operating costs through charitable giving and grants. The City of Newark has pledged an annual contribution to seed the initiative, while the store operators work with their national technical assistance provider, New Venture Advisors, to formulate business plans for each store to help them get as close to "break even" through the volume of sales within the next 3-5 years.
In addition to discounted food and goods, the stores will soon offer:
- Additional discounts through shopping programs that promote access to fresh produce, like Double Up Food Bucks
- Acceptance of SNAP, WIC, and EBT
- A "choice" pantry where residents can get free, donated items to supplement their purchases
- Social services referrals (e.g., utility and rental assistance)
- Onsite nutritionists and cooking demonstrations to promote healthy eating
- CSA produce box for purchase or delivery from local farmers
- Collaborations with neighboring food pantries to assist them with accessing food donations and other resources
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