Community Refrigerator In Newark’s Ironbound Gets Support From NJ Devils

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Ironbound Community Corporation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating its Community Refrigerator and Hunger Relief Project, made possible through the support of the Devils Youth Foundation.

The event will take place June 10 at 29 Cortland Street in the Ironbound community of Newark, home of ICC’s Family Success Center.

While the community refrigerator has been operational for several months, providing free, accessible, nutritious food to residents, the ceremony offers an opportunity to formally recognize the initiative’s impact and the partnerships that made it possible.

The Community Refrigerator was established to combat food insecurity in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood – designated by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) as a Food Desert Community (FDC) – by expanding access to healthy food while promoting dignity, mutual aid, and neighborhood support. Located at ICC’s Family Success Center (East), the refrigerator is stocked with donated food sourced primarily through ICC’s partnership with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. It complements the organization’s broader food security efforts, including its food pantry, food distribution programs, and agricultural initiatives at its Down Bottom Farm.

The strategic location of the refrigerator allows residents to access food while also connecting with critical wraparound services, including benefits enrollment and family support programs, as well as healthy homes services such as lead testing and remediation. By integrating food access with social services, ICC is working to strengthen community well-being and long-term resilience. The project has delivered significant benefits during a period marked by economic uncertainty and rising food costs.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together community members, elected officials, funders, and partners to celebrate a collective investment in food equity and neighborhood well-being – all of whom are committed to addressing food insecurity and advancing long-term solutions to strengthen Newark’s response to hunger and food access disparities.

"Every family in the Ironbound deserves fresh food on their table. It breaks my heart that our neighbors have to choose between buying vegetables for their kids or keeping a roof over their heads. This isn't just about groceries — it's about dignity, it's about justice, and it's about our community's future. We won't stand by while anyone in Newark goes hungry" said Hazel Applewhite, Chief Executive Officer of Ironbound Community Corporation.

The Devils Youth Foundation’s support has enabled ICC to expand its capacity to address food insecurity through a community-centered solution that increases access to nutritious food and allows residents to access it with dignity.

As the Community Refrigerator and Hunger Relief Project continues to evolve, ICC remains committed to meeting the needs of residents through responsive programming and partnerships that promote health, stability, and opportunity.

For more information about the Community Refrigerator and Hunger Relief Project or the Ironbound Community Corporation, visit www.ironboundcc.org or contact info@ironboundcc.org.

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