Feeding Newark’s Families and Anchoring the Community
Access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right. UCC’s Food Assistance Department, led by Director Maria Torres, is a lifeline for the city, distributing over 220,000 lbs of food annually to ensure that no neighbor goes hungry. Whether you need emergency groceries, a warm meal, or a quick snack from a community fridge, UCC is here to serve you.
The Market at UCC
Launched in July 2026, The Market at UCC is a choice-based marketplace that moves away from our former Champion House Food Pantry operations to offer a dignified, grocery-style shopping experience for our neighbors in Newark and Essex County. Clients walk through the market with a grocery cart and choose fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy, and shelf-stable goods – all at no cost.
In partnership with Wellpoint, we created an environment that looks and feels like a neighborhood grocery store aimed to break the stigma surrounding traditional food pantries. The Market at UCC empowers individuals and families with consumer choice and serves as a welcoming community space.
How to Shop at The Market
To ensure a smooth shopping experience, The Market at UCC operates by appointment only.
Location: 409 South 18th Street, Newark, NJ
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 AM – 2 PM
Schedule Your Free Appointment
Booking an appointment is fast and simple:
By Text:
Text UCCPANTRY to 726879
Online: Schedule your visit through the Plentiful app or website here: plentifulapp.com/pantry/41650
Support The Market at UCC - Make a Tangible Impact
The transition to a choice-based model is made possible by our community partners and supporters. When you give to The Market at UCC, you are directly funding dignity, nutrition, and hope.
Choose a giving level below to see how your gift transforms local lives:
Donate $50
Fill a Cart
Covers the cost of fresh produce, proteins, and dairy items for a family’s weekly market visit.
Donate $150
Fuel the Rescue
Covers one month of gas for our food trucks, allowing us to rescue surplus community food daily and keep our shelves stocked.
Donate $200
Provide a Month of Groceries
Fully sponsors a local family’s groceries at the market for an entire month, ensuring consistent food security.
Donate a Custom Amount
Every dollar directly purchases high-quality, nutritious food items for our neighbors.
To learn more about the Market at UCC or to support this initiative, please contact Sarah Allen at sarah.allen@uccnewark.org.
Our Partners
Our Comprehensive Food Network
We meet our residents where they are, providing multiple layers of support to combat food insecurity:
The Market at UCC
Launched in July 2026, The Market at UCC is a choice-based marketplace that moves away from our former Champion House Food Pantry operations to offer a dignified, grocery-style shopping experience for our neighbors in Newark and Essex County. Clients walk through the market with a grocery cart and choose fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy, and shelf-stable goods – all at no cost.
The "UCCafe" Mobile Food Truck
Our mobile unit brings nutritional support directly into “food deserts” and areas with limited access to nutritious food throughout Newark and Essex County.
Community Refrigerators
UCC operates six community refrigerators across the city, providing 24/7, access to fresh staples like milk, eggs, and produce.
Community Kitchen
We operate a full-service kitchen dedicated to preparing and serving warm, nutritious meals to our most vulnerable residents, including the homeless and homebound.
Monthly Distributions
In addition to daily operations, we host large-scale community food distributions at Champion House to ensure high-volume support for families in need.
How to access the champion House Pantry
To ensure we can serve as many families as possible, the pantry provides one comprehensive food package per month.
Champion House Food Pantry
409 S 18th Street, Newark, NJ 07103
973-642-0181
fooddistribution@uccnewark.org
What To Bring
To enroll, please bring the following documents:
1. Government-Issued Photo ID
2. Social Security Card
3. Proof of Recent Residency (Lease, mail, library card, or proof of income). Note: If you have no income, you will be asked to complete a zero-income verification form.
No ID? No Problem. If you currently lack identification, we will provide you with a complimentary emergency food package and immediately refer you to our case management team, who will help you apply for new documents.
Plan Your Visit
Call Ahead: We highly encourage residents to call 973-642-0181 prior to arrival to confirm hours and availability.
End-of-Month Support: We recognize that many NJ SNAP participants run low on resources toward the end of the month. We prioritize being a "safety net" during these critical times.