NDD Common Greens Farmers Market
2020 will be the 20th year for the NDD Common Greens Farmers Market! The market is held in the former PSE&G plaza every Thursday from May until October. Featured items include Jersey fresh and Newark-grown fresh produce, organic desserts, soul food, empanadas, Argentinian-style burgers, Mexican tamales and burritos, beauty and bath products, artisanal jewelry, cultural apparel, and more.
The Market also has live music each week and acts as a conduit for social gatherings for senior citizens in the downtown. Health screenings, cooking demonstrations, and other activities are always welcome at the market, making it the perfect place to get to know new people.
The NDD Common Greens Farmers Market continues to accept SNAP, WIC, and Senior Citizen Program Vouchers, and is within the Nourishing Newark Farmers Markets Network. In 2019, the NDD was approved to partner with the Garden State Good Food Network to offer “Double Bucks” for the fourth consecutive year. Through a partnership with the program, the NDD Common Greens Farmers Market provides double the purchasing power to SNAP customers. By increasing every SNAP dollar used at the NDD Common Greens Farmers Market, the NDD enables participants to purchase double the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables at half the price!
For a second year in a row, the NDD partnered with NCEDC to provide a Newark Shoppes tent where local small businesses host the stand. These businesses are also selected to participate in the NCEDC’s small business boot camp.
For information on participating in the market as a vendor or to host an information table, contact the NDD at marketing@downtownnewark.com.
For information on the City of Newark Peddler License (which is required to peddle general merchandise and food), an application is required and must be submitted to the Central Licensing Unit at City Hall Room B-26.
NDD Annual Stakeholders Celebration
The 2019 NDD Annual Stakeholders Reception was a night to remember! With the theme of Hats On!, the NDD invited guests to don their best hat and spend the evening listening to a live DJ, dancing, enjoying delicious food, and particpating in the NDD’s first “Hat Contest.”
The event was held outdoors under the stars at the Alice Dreyfuss Memorial Garden at the Newark Museum. Attendees were greeted by stilt walkers, dancers, creative decor, artistically presented food, and even a dancer performing in a giant bubble.
When it came time for the Hat Competition, entrants showed off their lively hats along with their best dance moves and four lucky winners went home with a prize and the coveted title of “Best Hat.”
The NDD Annual Stakeholders Reception is a chance for the NDD to thank the Downtown community for their support throughout the year. The event is held in the fall and is attended by pre-registered guests from a variety of Newark business and residential sectors.
NDD Holiday Celebration
As soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers are wrapped up, the NDD gets the holiday season kicked off by putting up a 50-foot holiday tree in the center of the downtown. Next, our Ambassadors begin to “deck the halls” by installing LED snowflakes on the light poles throughout the district. When dusk falls, the city is transformed into a Winter Wonderland with sparkling lights creating a festive atmosphere. To keep people in the city late into the night to do their holiday shopping, NDD offers businesses free social media advertising to our thousands of friends and followers.
The NDD’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in early December is always a fun-filled family event, with an opportunity to visit and have free photos taken with Santa himself! Adults and kids of all ages love to create their own holiday photos, using holiday props or by taking pictures with everyone from action heroes, movie stars, and even Victorian carolers! The event features a live DJ, carnival games, and local food vendors selling treats and warm hot chocolate.
For information on the 2019 NDD Holiday Tree Lighting, contact Marketing@downtownnewark.com.
