West Orange, NJ, April 21, 2026 – RWJBarnabas Health was recognized by Commerce Magazine and The Commerce & Industry Association of NJ (CIANJ) at the 2026 "Companies That Care" Awards Ceremony on April 16th, 2026 for its engagement in partnerships that improve New Jersey. The health system has collaborated with Newark-based farm-to-city social enterprise Urban Agriculture Cooperative to create Harvest: A Farm to Community Center that addresses food insecurity to improve health outcomes for the Greater Newark area, where many lack access to affordable, nutritious food, especially fruits and vegetables.
Located in the Hahne’s Building, Downtown Newark, Harvest is a hub for community-driven initiatives to enhance access to food and nutrition education and supports growers in NJ. This first-of-its-kind initiative takes a wholistic approach to root causes of food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease. Harvest features a farm-to-table distribution center with 2,100+ square feet of storage, walk-in refrigerators, freezers and compost room; a commercial kitchen, where local chefs, caterers, food entrepreneurs and culinary students can reserve space; healthy cooking education and demo spaces, and more. Local pantries, organizations and schools can also procure fresh produce, supporting local farmers and maintaining year-round demand for their products.
The “Companies That Care” awards annually salute charitable good works and corporate philanthropy. Read more here.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org