Developing Worker-owned Cooperatives in Newark, NJ

The mission of Newark’s Department of Economic and Housing Development is to “create economic opportunity for City residents and enhance the vibrancy of our city.” With its plans for the Newark greenhouse, the Department hopes to further that mission by fostering the development of a sustainable social enterprise in the community. The vision for this enterprise is two-fold: provide job skills to disadvantaged Newark residents and develop a community-based approach to sourcing fresh and healthy food. From a larger perspective, the Newark greenhouse may serve as a pilot of a more comprehensive economic development strategy, along the lines of the model pioneered in Cleveland.

Commissioned by the City, this project seeks to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Newark greenhouse by distilling operational best practices in the hydroponic greenhouse industry and understanding the local demand for produce. To these ends, the SIPA Capstone Team researched greenhouse operations, interviewed greenhouse experts, and explored Newark-area produce demand. Through a combination of interviews and academic research, the Team has identified five areas of consideration that we believe are critical contributors to the viability of a greenhouse. (Notes from our interviews are included as Appendix 1). The team has come to believe that to develop an economically self-sustaining greenhouse that can achieve its environmental and social goals these items must be addressed through comprehensive planning.

Press Releases:

SIPA News (http://youtu.be/i5f_w47UsDc)
The Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443537404577577390308232140.html?KEYWORDS=Newark+Public+Schools)