RWJBarnabas Health Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of The Beth Greenhouse and 50,000 Pounds of Fresh Produce in Newark

NEWARK, N.J., Oct 23: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility today celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Beth Greenhouse, RWJBarnabas Health’s first hydroponic greenhouse and a pioneering community health initiative that has provided more than 50,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce to Newark residents and patients while advancing nutrition, wellness and food security throughout the city.

For a decade, The Beth Greenhouse has served as a vital resource for families, improving access to healthy foods and offering nutrition and wellness education designed to help residents lead healthier lives. The sustainable hydroponic greenhouse produces more than 5,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, helping address food insecurity and support healthier communities. Crops have included lettuce, curly kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, pak choi, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers, along with herbs and flowers such as sage, lemongrass, cilantro, rosemary, chives, lavender and sunflowers.

Produce grown at the greenhouse is available at the hospital’s farmers market, held in the NBIMC’s Newark Strong Lobby on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market accepts SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits and participates in City Green’s Good Food Bucks program. In the ten years, The Beth Greenhouse and Farmer’s Market has served 3,000 benefit users which include individuals, families and seniors. In addition, the food grown at The Beth Greenhouse is used at the facility’s nutrition education programs including Hannah’s Kitchen at NBIMC.

“For the past decade, The Beth Greenhouse has been more than a source of fresh, healthy food. It has been a symbol of our commitment to improving community health and addressing food insecurity across Newark,” said Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey. “By combining access to nutritious produce with education and wellness resources, we are helping individuals and families make healthier choices and lead healthier lives. This is just one of the many ways we strive to create a positive and lasting impact in the communities we serve.”

“The Beth Greenhouse has become a staple and lifeline for Newark families, demonstrating that innovative community investments can tackle social determinants of health," said Barbara Mintz, MS, RDN, Senior Vice President, Social Impact and Community Investment, RWJBarnabas Health. "By bringing fresh produce and wellness resources directly to the community, The Beth Greenhouse has empowered residents to make healthier choices while creating a more accessible and sustainable food system. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and the lasting impact it has had on the health and well-being of Newark families.”

In addition to sustaining The Beth Greenhouse’s service to Newark families, the health system plans to replicate its greenhouse model in Toms River in 2027 in partnership with Sadie Vickers Resource Center, helping hundreds of families experiencing food insecurity access and grow healthy food.