Trenton’s Food Assets: Data Visualizations and Economic Development

Trenton, the state capital of New Jersey, is a post-industrial city experiencing numerous challenges including high unemployment rates, a declining population, and high rates of residential and commercial vacancies. In addition to these challenges, access to healthy, fresh food in Trenton is limited for the city’s 85,000 residents who are served by only two major supermarkets. In collaboration with the Rutgers Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES) and Isles, the Capstone team conducted comprehensive business and sales data research in order to better understand where Trentonians purchase their food. From this research, the team produced a map of food assets for the city and region, employing GIS and design software to produce rich visuals to help CUES and Isles better understand Trenton’s food challenges. The Capstone team also analyzed vacant and abandoned land within the city and provided site-specific recommendations as to how these sites could be incorporated into Trenton's food system.