Over $16 million infused into the local restaurant economy, sustaining businesses while creating and preserving jobs.
Newark Working Kitchens has channeled over $16 million into the local restaurant industry, sustaining the small businesses that form the backbone of a healthy economy. Providing business support and financial assistance, and having delivered over 1.6 million meals to residents in need from 2020 - 2024, Audible’s nationally recognized program is a proven, scalable model that is easily replicated by corporations, governments, and philanthropic organizations.
The Journey of Newark Working Kitchens
Audible launched Newark Working Kitchens (NWK) in April 2020, as Covid-19 shuttered the city’s small businesses, restaurants and office buildings. The goal was to preserve Newark’s hard-won gains and keep restaurants in business by funding them to cook and deliver nutritious meals to senior, low-income and disabled housing residents who were struggling to access healthy food during the pandemic. Working with community organizations and tenants associations, NWK has reached more than 10,000 residents in need, working with 70 community partners. NWK has delivered over 1.5 million meals while keeping the lights on and cooks, servers and delivery staff employed at dozens of cherished restaurants.
Responding to new needs as offices returned to work, the next iteration, Newark Working Kitchens Delivers, harnessed the purchasing power of local employers to sustain and grow area restaurants, offering subsidized food delivery choices to corporate employees with a critical meal match for Newark’s most vulnerable residents.
Newark Working Kitchens now offers a range of support for restaurants, including technical assistance and consultation for restaurant owners, emergency grant assistance, and discount incentives for employees and members of the community to dine at participating businesses. NWK continues to equip restaurants with critical resources and support they need to succeed, infusing over $15 million into the local restaurant economy. Investing in these community staples generates long-lasting and sustained value for businesses, workers, and the city.
We are Newark Working Kitchens.
9 Thai Cuisine • Blueprint Café • Bulgogi Zip • Casa d’Paco • City Rub Smokehouse • Five Corners • French Fry Heaven • Fresh Coast • The Green Chicpea • Hobby’s • La Cocina • McGovern’s Tavern • Panzz Seafood & Wings • Pita Square • Pronto Cafe • Queen Pizza • Ramen Gami • Redd’s • Robert’s Pizza • Sigri Indian BBQ • Sihana Café • Toki Toki • Tossed NJ • Uncle Willie’s Wings • The Yard
“My wrists are sore, my hands are chafed because my knife skills are improving again. So, that's sort of like the city, we're sharpening our knives again so that when this comes out, we're going to be able to dice anything. None of it would have been possible without the help, support, guidance, and initiative undertaken by Newark Working Kitchens.”
Kai Campbell, The Yard
