Newark Neighborhood Opens First New Market in 20 Years

A ribbon cutting at a new supermarket may not sound like a big deal. Unless it's the first one to open in a northern New Jersey neighborhood in more than twenty years.

Newark officials and a coalition of partners attended Tuesday's opening of a 31,000-square-foot Food Depot Supermarket in the city's Central Ward.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker said the project has brought more than 100 jobs to Newark.

Booker says it's part of a wider initiative to combat so-called `food desert' areas by giving Newark's residents access to healthier food options, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

`Food deserts' are neighborhoods where options to buy affordable, healthy, fresh foods are limited.

The $8 million project is being funded by a mix of private investment and grant money.