Planting a Tree Where a Newark ShopRite Will Grow

We all know “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” but the Greater Newark Conservancy brought the idea to New Jersey on Tuesday with the kickoff of its tree-planting program in the city. The first of 80 trees took root on the future site of Newark’s new ShopRite supermarket at 32 Prince Street.

“My family and I are so pleased to be bringing a new ShopRite store to Newark and have been overwhelmed with the warm welcome and support we have received from the community. Partnering with the Greater Newark Conservancy and supporting this internship program is a wonderful way to give back to our new neighbors,” said Neil Greenstein, owner and operator of the future ShopRite of Newark, scheduled to open in April 2015.

“We are personally invested in  this neighborhood and the opportunity to serve the Newark community and its youth is a natural extension of our family’s 65 year history of service to the people of New Jersey.” Greenstein added.

The trees are coming to Newark’s Central Ward as part of a collaboration between the Conservancy, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, ShopRite Newark and Wakefern Food Corporation. It’s all part of the Conservancy’s wider mission to promote environmental stewardship to improve the quality of life in New Jersey’s urban communities.

On hand for the planting on the ShopRite site were Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr., Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Council President Mildred C. Crump, Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins, Greater Newark Conservancy Executive Director Robin Dougherty, ShopRite owner Neil Greenstein, Kimberly-Clark Sustainability Leader Peggy Ward, and Stephanie Greenwood of the City of Newark’s Sustainability Office.

During the planting ceremony, Rep. Payne lauded the coming supermarket for its role in bringing fresh and healthy food to the community, and Greenstein spoke of his vision for bringing an important anchor to local residents. “We know we will be more than a supermarket to the city of Newark,” he said.

In addition to the tree, ShopRite and Kimberly-Clark presented a $50,000 donation to the Conservancy. To learn more about the Greater Newark Conservancy and its year-round programs around the city, visit citybloom.org.