Download - Nms Conference Presentation
Carola Lillie Hartley, Executive Director
Bridgeton Main Street
Community KitchenMaking Food, Entrepreneurs and Jobs DowntownBridgeton, New Jersey Culinary District
Bridgeton (NJ) Culinary DistrictCreated in 2009 by the Bridgeton City Council with help from Bridgeton Main Street
A four square block area in the heart of downtown Bridgeton.
The Culinary District is the center of the largest historic district in New Jersey and one of the largest districts in the US.
Why a Culinary DistrictDowntown revitalizationCreate a nicheHelp unite a very diverse group
of downtown storeowners, property owners and residents◦Food is a “great connector”
Draw more South Jersey area people into downtown
Focus on Food and anything to do with it◦Food stores◦Restaurants and food service businesses◦Gourmet stores, coffee shops, tea rooms,
ice cream parlors, wine/liquor stores, cheese etc.
◦Stores that sell kitchen wares, appliances, table settings, etc.
We don’t all need to shop We ALL need to EAT
Make Downtown Bridgeton a Destination
Culinary District Branding
The district has the following components:
Culinary District Pocket Park
Culinary District Pocket Park –The park with a mural will have an herb garden to be planted in the Spring of 2012.
Culinary District ParkLots of hard work and over $175,000 of donations
Park and Mural DedicationOctober 16, 2011
Tables and Chairs for Outside Dining at restaurants and downtown parks
Table and Chairs with Green Umbrellas are offered to downtown eating establishments to encourage outdoor dining
Bridgeton Bazaar in the Culinary District
Vendor Park and Bazaar on other vacant lots in downtown
In Planning Stage
Food Festivals, Events and Activities
A gala movie/dinner/cooking demonstration night
Fundraiser for Bridgeton Main Street
Held Annually every
April
Promotes the Culinary Arts, food history and ethnic diversity agendas of the wider redevelopment vision for Bridgeton’s downtown
Bridgeton Food Film Fest
Food Festivals, Events and Activities
Mill Creek Unban Farm sells produce at the Bridgeton Main Street organized Outdoor Market
Fridays June through August
Food Festivals
Cinco de Mayo Cultural Festival in the Culinary District
First
Sunday
every May
Food FestivalsBridgeton Crab Fest
in downtown as part of the Cohansey RiverfestLast Saturday every
August
Culinary District Lunch Fest at the Park
Hour long music concert at noon until 1PM.
Concert schedule printed on brown paper bags
Bags given to all downtown restaurants and food service businesses
Public invited to pick up a brown paper bag lunch from a downtown restaurant
Lunch in the park while enjoying great music.
Promotes the Culinary District, the historic downtown, the restaurants and local/area performing artists.
In Planning Stage for Fridays in April & October
Cumberland County Culinary Stars
A partnership of Bridgeton Main Street with◦Gateway Community Action Partnership, ◦Rutgers Food Innovation Center, ◦Rutgers Cousteau Center at Bridgeton,◦Cumberland County College, ◦Cumberland County Technical Education Center, ◦City of Bridgeton, ◦Cumberland County Empowerment Zone,◦Mill Creek Urban Farm and others.
Rutgers Food Innovation Center
Contact: 450 East Broad St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 856-459-1900 (p) 856-459-43043 (f)
Serves not only clients regionally-but nationally and internationally as well
Rutgers Cousteau Center at Bridgeton
Other programs at the Cousteau Center bring science-based information to enrich education and inform management of coastal resources in south Jersey. Formal and informal education and training programs address local and regional concerns for sustainable economic development and conservation of the environment and coastal resources in Cumberland County.
Located in a restored 1790s building in Bridgeton’s Culinary District in the heart of the historic downtown
The Cousteau Center at Bridgeton is very involved in the Oyster Restoration Project.
Mill Creek Urban Farm at Bridgeton
Located less than ½ mile from downtown
Farm sits on four acres◦ Land once was a housing complex,
demolished in 2006.◦ Sat open and vacant for years because
it was too soft to build upon, the former buildings had been sinking a little each year.
Earth Boxes used to grow tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, butternut squash, a variety of lettuces, spinach, kale, collards, mustard greens, beets, and more - if you can think of it, it's probably growing at Mill Creek.
Mill Creek Urban Farm sells produce at the Bridgeton Outdoor Market in the Culinary
District.
Cumberland County Culinary Stars
Heritage Cooking Demonstrations and Classes
Local area chefs demonstrate and teach their own style of heritage cooking.
Programs include:
Cumberland County Culinary Stars
Safe With a Smile Food Safety & Hospitality Training
Currently
offered by
Rutgers Food
Innovation
Center
Cumberland County Culinary Stars
Bridgeton Culinary Marketplace: A retail incubator for food related businesses to serve as a springboard for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to serve the local food service industry.
In planning stage
In Process
A centralized food preparation center designed to be employed by a variety of community entities.
This program is seeking funding currently for fit out.
Why a Co-op or Community Kitchen
Serve as a catalyst to the revitalization of downtown Bridgeton
Help to establish the Culinary District in downtown Bridgeton as a destination
Attract entrepreneurs of all levels to the restaurant and food service industry Bridgeton is building◦Help to develop entrepreneurs for the
Rutgers Food Innovation Center
Community (Co-op) KitchenProvide much need commercial
kitchen space to local/area caterers, food based home businesses and upcoming entrepreneurs
Provide training for food related businesses
Community (Co-op) Kitchen
Also allows access to business ownership in underserved communities
Can serve as an entry point back into the workforce for many◦Provide training to these individuals
Provides a “sense of community” in downtown
Draws more people into downtown creating much needed foot traffic.
Plans call for:Commercial kitchen on first floorRetail store and shop in storefront
Space for teaching classrooms & meeting rooms on second floor
For INFORMATION