Ujamaa Cafe launches community vending machine for healthy meals in Jersey City

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August 20, 2025

Ujamaa Cafe, a community-focused vending machine in Jersey City, is providing healthy, curated meals and snacks to local residents.

Operated by the Coalition for Food and Health Equity, the vending machine is located at Kismet of Kings, a mentorship program for young men from low-income neighborhoods, according to a report by The Hoboken Girl.

The project was founded to address the need for accessible, nutritious food options. “In 2021, I recognized the urgent need for our food assistance clients at CFHE to access healthier options beyond our meal delivery program,” Dr. Leeja Carter, CEO and founder of CFHE, told the news outlet. “I envisioned a place where residents in need could freely obtain nourishing food.”

The vending machine offers a cashless, de-surveilled grab-and-go option, with all food items vetted through a rigorous application process for restaurant affiliates to ensure they meet nutritional standards. The name “Ujamaa” is a Swahili word for “brotherhood” and represents the practice of cooperative economics. The organization has an ambitious goal to expand to 50 cities nationwide over the next 10 years.

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