Mercer Street Friends recently opened The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub in Trenton’s West Ward, an area designated as a food desert, with support from HomeFront, the Trenton Health Team, NJEDA’s FEED NJ program and Mercer County.
Lacking adequate full-service grocery stores, Trenton residents often rely on convenience stores and corner markets that rarely stock fresh, affordable produce, limiting the options for well-balanced food choices. Transportation challenges require residents to find a ride or pay for one to travel at least two miles outside the city to reach a traditional supermarket.
The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub, located in Mercer Street Friends’ newly renovated space at 222 North Hermitage Ave., is the West Ward’s first choice-based, free community marketplace designed to offer a familiar and dignified grocery shopping experience. Fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful, as well as canned food and shelf-stable goods, frozen chicken and meats, dairy, eggs, and a wide variety of nutritious options – all at no cost.
The resource hub takes a holistic approach to responding to the challenges that can negatively impact individual and family health and well-being. In addition to food, residents may access essential family goods such as diapers and hygiene products while establishing connections to services focused on housing stability and family and parenting support.
“We are so proud to stand with our partners in government and the nonprofit sector as we open The 222,” said Randall West, CEO, Mercer Street Friends. “By placing fresh food, essential resources and support in one location within reach, we are helping create a stronger, healthier West Ward. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and meeting other basic needs.”
Tara Colton, Chief Economic Security Officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, said the Sherrill administration’s $30 million FEED NJ program enabled the NJEDA to invest in community-driven initiatives to strengthen food security throughout the state. Mercer Street Friends received a $498,754 FEED NJ grant under this program.
“For decades, Mercer Street Friends, HomeFront and Trenton Health Team have been helping expand access to food, support families and create opportunities for Trenton residents,” Colton said. “We are thrilled to have been a part of this project and look forward to seeing the impact that The 222 will have on the West Ward and beyond for years to come.”
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said Mercer County was proud to invest in this project and thanked leaders at the Feed NJ program, Homefront, Mercer Street Friends and the Trenton Health Team for their commitment to making it happen.
Sarah Steward, CEO of HomeFront, said that families rarely face only one challenge at a time. The 222 brings food and critical resources and services together under one roof, making it easier for West Ward residents to obtain the food and help they need.
“A family coming through the door for groceries may also be navigating housing instability, employment challenges or other pressures,” Steward said. “By bringing trusted organizations and resources together in one welcoming place, we can meet people where they are, with dignity, and help connect them to the support they need to move forward.”
To learn more or volunteer at The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub, go here.
Photo caption: A ribbon-cutting was held Sept. 24 at The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub. From left are Lisa Weber, Chief of Food Security, Mercer Street Friends; Rudy Rodas, Managing Director of Policy, Research & Government Affairs, New Jersey Economic Development Authority; Mercer County Commissioner Lucylle Walter; Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora; Senator Shirley K. Turner; Randall West, CEO, Mercer Street Friends; Sarah Steward, CEO, HomeFront; James "Butter" Allen, COO, Mercer Street Friends; Matthew Broad, Director of Programs, Trenton Health Team; and Tameko Webster, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, New Jersey Department of Agriculture. – Photo courtesy of Mercer Street Friends.
