Rutgers Newark Bodega Project

About the Project

Building on Team Flow Chain's groundbreaking work, this community-driven initiative aims to create a resilient, sustainable food supply chain linking local farms and school gardens directly to Newark's bodegas. At the heart of this model is the belief that food access is a fundamental right for everyone.

Supported by Bergen Community College and Rutgers Business School-Newark, the project connects education with urban economic development. It began under Dr. Kevin Lyons, whose sustainable logistics vision sparked the partnership.

Generously funded by the USDA and NIFA, under the leadership and coordination of Dr. Edward Sanchez, this initiative emphasizes experiential learning and leadership training in key areas such as agriculture, business, food systems, and environmental science, empowering students and communities alike.

Mission & Objectives

Mission

Empower Bergen students through practical training and real-world experiences, equipping them with essential skills to design, implement, and maintain sustainable urban food supply chains.

Objectives

Develop a viable, replicable prototype supply chain model connecting local farms and community gardens with Newark bodegas.
Foster ongoing research and innovation in sustainable urban logistics and agriculture.
Strengthen community relationships and enhance local food security through education, collaboration, and resource sharing.

Program Dates: June 30, 2025 - July 24, 2025

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Team Flow Chain's experience highlighted the critical importance of tracking key performance metrics. The following indicators help evaluate and ensure ongoing success and sustainability:

Inventory Shortage: Minimizing losses due to theft, damage, fraud, or miscounts.
Supplier Lead Time: Reducing the duration from placing orders to product shipment.
Warehouse Utilization: Optimizing the ratio of used to available warehouse space.
Cold Chain Compliance: Ensuring safe and reliable temperature control throughout transportation.
Delivery Time Variability: Narrowing gaps between expected and actual delivery times.
Delivery Accuracy: Maximizing the percentage of on-time, undamaged deliveries.

Urban Agriculture: Indoor Vertical Farming

Year-Round Production: Enables continuous farming independent of weather and seasonal changes.
Local Food Security: Strengthens food systems by significantly reducing transportation emissions and reliance on distant suppliers.
Controlled Environments: Controlled environments allows for measuring TDS (total dissolved solids) of nutrients in water, easy managing of pests, as well as a controlled light source.
Frequent Harvests: Hydroponic vertical farming allows selected crops to grow faster, leading to more frequent harvests.