A new facility that will assist those in need of food access is underway in Bayonne as a food pantry facility has begun construction along the city’s main drag.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and Bayonne Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Hudson County Community Market, a new consumer choice food pantry that will expand food access for residents while providing a more dignified way for individuals and families to receive nutritious food.
Located at 685 Broadway, the two-story facility represents a $6.3 million investment in addressing food insecurity across Hudson County. The project is funded through $5 million in State American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding and $1.3 million in Hudson County ARP funding and is being constructed using union labor, supporting both local workers and critical community infrastructure.
“This project is the result of what can happen when every level of government works together to address critical needs in our communities,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “The Hudson County Community Market will transform how residents access food assistance by providing a dignified, consumer-choice experience that empowers families while ensuring they have access to fresh, nutritious food.”
The first floor of the future building will house the consumer-choice pantry and will sport commercial-grade refrigeration and freezer units, point-of-service stations for inventory management, a dedicated loading dock, and a welcome area. The market will operate by appointment to create a more organized and personalized experience and will include evening and weekend hours to better accommodate working individuals and families.
“This groundbreaking marks the beginning of an investment not only in a new facility, but in the people and families of Bayonne and Hudson County,” said Bayonne Mayor Sharon Nadrowski. “No one should have to face the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from, and this Community Market will help ensure that residents can access nutritious food with dignity, respect, and compassion.:
Plans for the building’s second floor are still being finalized, with the space intended to serve as offices for social services and other supportive resources. The Hudson County Community Market will be staffed primarily by volunteers when it is fully operational, with an opening timeline yet to be announced.
