>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" PROVIDED BY FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS NJ BIA FOCUSED ON THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

WE'RE THE VOICE REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES, WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY THROUGH ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, NETWORKING, AND BENEFITS.

NJC'S SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER, AND IBEW LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900, LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY, VISIT IBEW102.ORG.

>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS" SHAPING UP FOR THE SUMMER SEASON.

ECONOMISTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS PREDICT SUCCESS FOR THE SHORE.

>>> PLUS, RISING FAST AND IMPACTING MORE THAN JUST OUR TANK, GAS PRICES HIT RECORD HIGHS, CAUSING OTHER COSTS TO SKY-ROCKET.

>>> AND HOPE YOU HAVE AN EMPTY STOMACH, BECAUSE WE'RE PUTTING THE BUSINESS OF FOOD IN FOCUS, HIGHLIGHTING THE CULINARY INNOVATIONS BORN IN THE GARDEN STATE, AND THE NEW TECHNOLOGY LOCAL COMPANIES ARE USING TO GET FOOD TO YOUR TABLE.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

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THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WITH RHONDA SHAFLE ARE.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE FROM OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODES AND CLIPS.

ARE YOU LIKE ME COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS TO SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS AT THE JERSEY SHORE?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

VISITORS CAME BACK TO THE SHORE LAST YEAR AS COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS RETREATED, AND THEY SPENT NEARLY $21 BILLION, UP 29% FROM 2020.

THIS WEEK STOCKTON UNIVERSITY GATHERED EXPERTS FOR ITS ANNUAL SHORE CAST, A PREDICTION OF WHAT THE UPCOMING SUMMER WILL LOOK LIKE.

OLIVER COOK, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICING AT THE SCHOOL, SEES GOOD THINGS AHEAD.

>> I THINK OVER FOR THE SUMMER SHORE SEASON I THINK EVERYONE ACROSS THE PANEL BELIEVED THAT THIS IS LIKELY GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY ROBUST KIND OF SUMMER SHORE SEASON, PERHAPS NOT AS STRONG AS LAST YEAR, JUST BECAUSE LAST YEAR'S KIND OF YEAR ON YEAR COMPARABLES WERE SO REMARKABLE RELATIVE TO 2020 THAT IT MIGHT BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE 2022, YOU KNOW, KIND OF OUTPERFORM 2021, BUT NEVERTHELESS, PROBABLY VERY, VERY STRONG.

>> CHANCES ARE, IT MAY COST YOU MORE TO DRIVE TO THE SHORE, BASED ON WHAT WE'RE SEEING THESE DAYS WITH GAS PRICES.

AT THE TIME WE RECORDED THIS SHOW, GAS PRICES WERE AVERAGING $4.50 A GALLON IN NEW JERSEY.

THE INCREASE IN GAS PRICES IS PUSHING UP THE COST OF OTHER GOODS.

NOW, BEFORE YOU GRUMBLE WILL PAYING MORE AT THE PUMP, CONSIDER THIS -- ANALYSTS SAY $4.50 A GALLON MIGHT END UP LOOKING LIKE A BARGAIN.

>> DIESEL FUEL AND HEATING OIL, THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT AT $6 A GALLON AND JET FUEL PRICES WERE AS HIGH AS $7 A GALLON, SO IT'S GOING TO INFILTRATE EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY OF INFLATION.

>> AND DIESEL IS VERY IMPORTANT.

ALL THE SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE SEEING, THE EMPTY SHELVES THAT ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE, THEY WILL BE RESUPPLIED BY DIESEL-BURNING TRUCK, AND WITH DIESEL UPWARDS OF $6.23 IN NEW JERSEY, ALL-TIME HIGH PRICE, THAT CREATES MORE OF THE INFLATION THAT WE'RE SEEING, TRUCKERS NEED TO REFUEL WHEREVER THEY MIGHT GO, AND PRICES ARE HIGH ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WELL I CAN TELL YOU WHERE PRICES ARE NOT HIGH, AND THAT'S ON WALL STREET.

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE STOCK MARKET?

YIKES!

SURE IT GOES UP AND DOWN BUT SO FAR THIS YEAR, STOCKS HAVE BEEN ON A DOWNHILL RIGHT WITH DOUBLE-DIGIT LOSSES.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH INVESTING.

IT LOOKS SO EASY WHEN THE MARKET IS GOING UP, AND THEN A STOMACH-CHURNING SELL-OFF MAKES YOU QUESTION WHY YOU'RE IN THE MARKET AT ALL.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT, BUT THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF INVESTING IS HARD.

I TALKED ABOUT THAT WITH MARK SWINGOLD, WITH THE AND MANAGING PARTNER WITH WESTFIELD FINANCIAL PLANNING.

>> WE'D LIKE THE PAIN TO STOP.

MAKE THE PAIN STOP.

IN ORDER TO MAKE MONEY YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO GO THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS.

FRANKLY OUR CLIENTS SAY TO US, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WHEN THAT TIME IS GOING ON, I STOP LOOKING AT MY STATEMENTS, OUR I STOP LOOKING AT THE INTERNET OR I STOP LISTENING TO THE NEWS.

THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ESSENTIALLY GET THROUGH IT FINE.

EVERY FIVE YEARS OR SO WE HAVE ONE OF THESE DOWNTURNS, ONE OR TWO OF OUR MANY CLIENTS DO PANIC AND THEY PAY A BIG PRICE.

>> A FALLING STOCK MARKET, A SPIKE IN INFLATION, YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE LESS MONEY IN YOUR POCKET THESE DAYS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK SAID PROPERTY TAX RELIEF CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH, AND THAT'S WHY HE WAS OUT PROMOTING THE PROPOSED NEW PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM CALLED ANCHOR, WHICH HE INCLUDED IN HIS BUDGET FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR STARTING IN JULY.

IN SIMPLE TERMS, IT'S AN EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM, MAKING MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE AND GIVING THEM MORE MONEY BACK.

ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS WOULD RECEIVE AN AVERAGE REBATE OF ABOUT $700 UNDER THIS PROGRAM, WHILE RENTERS COULD RECEIVE UP TO $250.

UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD REBATE WOULD RISE TO OVER $1,100 BY FISCAL YEAR 2025, BUT AT AN EVENT IN SOMERVILLE THIS WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE'D LOVE TO SEE THAT TIME LINE ACCELERATED.

>> GIVEN THE STRONG FISCAL POSITION THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN, AS REVENUES CONTINUE TO OUTPACE OUR PROJECTIONS, I'M HOPEFUL THAT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE, WE CAN SECURE THIS PROMISE OF FULLY FUNDING ANCHOR'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, EVEN SOONER THAN WE HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

>> THE STATE ANNOUNCED A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY THIS WEEK.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LAUNCHING A $54.5 MILLION PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE GRANTS TO CHILD CARE CENTERS TO HELP COVER IMPROVEMENT COSTS INCLUDING CREATING ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM SPACE.

A LACK OF CHILD CARE DURING THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED WORKING WOMEN IN NEW JERSEY AND THE EFFECTS LINGER ON.

ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY FROM THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR WOMEN AND WORK, THE WAY WOMEN NOW WORK IS DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WOMEN HAVE CUT BACK ON THEIR HOURS OR HAVE SWAPPED FULL-TIME JOBS FOR PART-TIME WORK.

DEBORAH LANCASTER, THE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAYS MINORITY WOMEN WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED.

>> WE SEE THAT FOR BLACK WOMEN AND LATINAS IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE LOSING WAGES, LOSING INCOME, AND IT DOES HAVE A CUMULATIVE EFFECT OVER ONE'S LIFE TIME.

>> COME MONDAY, INVEST NEWARK WILL HAVE A NEW MAN AT THE HELM, MARCUS RANDOLPH SAKES OVER AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS A MISSION TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR ALL NEW WORKERS.

RANDOLPH HAS A BACKGROUND IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHICH HE SEES AS A BIG ASSET.

HE RECENTLY SHARED WITH ME HIS VISION FOR THE ORGANIZATION, AND THE CITY.

MARCUS, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ROLE WITH INVEST NEWARK.

YOU BRING A VERY UNIQUE SKILL SET TO THE POSITION.

HOW WILL YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT SIDE PLAY WELL HERE?

>> I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WITH THE FINANCING PROCESS, PARTICULARLY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, AND PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY, SO OTHER THAN BRINGING THAT KNOWLEDGE WITH ME AND THE EXPERIENCE WITH ME TO INVEST WILL BE KEY, YOU KNOW, WE PLAN TO BE INVOLVED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND I THINK HAVING THAT, PLUS THE EXPERIENCE THAT EXISTS ON THE TEAM, WILL BE REAL VALUABLE.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

I KNOW YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE CITY?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IMPROVE SAY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PUT YOUR FINGERPRINTS ON?

>> THE REASON I'M TAKING THIS JOB IS TO BE OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF NEWARK, SPECIFICALLY THOUGH, WITH INVEST NEWARK, REALLY WANT TO RAMP UP THE LAND BANK PROGRAM AND DO IT IN AN INTENTIONAL BUT ALSO NOTICEABLE WAY, SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY IN A COUPLE YEARS, YOU KNOW, THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY HAD BEEN ABANDONED FOR A VERY LONG TIME OR NOT BEING USED AND NOW IT HAS A USEFUL LIFE AGAIN, PEOPLE LIVE THERE.

SO THAT'S ONE BIG ONE.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, WANT TO REALLY, REALLY RAMP UP THE FJ FAM FUND, GETTING THE DOLLARS RAISED AND THE MONEY DEPLOYED INTO PROJECTS WHERE THE LEADS ARE WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND WE REALLY WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO UNLOCK NEWARK FIBER TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE ACTUALLY CAN GET IT INTO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AS WELL, AS THIS IS A MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS NOW.

>> A LOT OF GOALS THERE.

HOW WILL YOU ATTRACT COMPANIES TO NEWARK?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WANT TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES TO BRING COMPETITIVE PAYING JOBS INTO THE CITY, WANT TO BE AT THE TABLE IN THAT DISCUSSION.

THERE ARE SOME PARTNERSHIPS I'D LIKE TO ESTABLISH, CERTAINLY WANT TO HAVE INVEST NEWARK TO CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE EDA, WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, NEWARK ALL ALLIANCE, AND THEN ALSO WANT TO JUST BE IN CONVERSATION WITH SOME OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFITS THAT ARE SEEKING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE TO CREATE JOBS, I MEAN TRUE LIVING WAGE JOBS, AND SEE HOW WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND GET SOME OF THOSE BUSINESSES INTO NEWARK.

>> NEWARK, LIKE SO MANY OTHER PLACES, HAS A PROBLEM WITH EQUITY, IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, THERE IS A LACK OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL, WHICH WE'VE REPORTED ON QUITE A BIT.

IS THE PARADIGM SHIFTING AT ALL AND WHAT IN YOUR VIEW NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

>> WE HAD TO JUST BE VERY, VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT INCLUDING PEOPLE OF COLOR INTO OUR BUSINESS DECISIONS, EXCUSE ME.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT GETTING CAPITAL INTO THEIR HANDS, AND NOT MAKING IT CUMBERSOME.

THAT HAS BEEN ALWAYS VERY, VERY, HAS BEEN A REAL HEAVY LIFT FOR SOME TO SEE HOW THEY CAN LEND MONEY TO PEOPLE OF COLOR AND IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> MARCUS, IT'S BEEN SO GREAT HEARING SOME OF YOUR IDEAS, AND SPEAKING WITH YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND BEST OF LUCK AS YOU START THE NEW JOB.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> WHETHER YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS GRABBING A MEAL AT YOUR FAVORITE JERSEY DINER, A MAIN STREET BISTRO, PIZZA SHOP OR LOCAL FOOD TRUCK, YOU MAY NOT REALIZE HOW BIG A ROLE YOUR HOME STATE PLAYS IN GETTING FOOD ON YOUR PLATE.

THE FOOD INDUSTRY IS BIG BUSINESS, AND PLENTY OF INNOVATIONS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE PUTTING FOOD IN FOCUS THIS WEEK.

THE FOOD INDUSTRY IN THIS COUNTRY CONTRIBUTES MORE THAN $1 TRILLION TO THE U.S. ECONOMY WITH $19.7 MILLION WORKERS IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, INCLUDING $1.7 MILLION IN FOOD MANUFACTURING.

SOME OF US LIVE TO EAT.

OTHERS EAT TO LIVE, BUT OTHER WAY, WE SPEND PLENTY ON FOOD, NEARLY 12% OF OUR HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES GOES TO FEED US.

IT'S THE THIRD HIGHEST EXPENSE FOR FAMILIES.

MEANTIME IN THE PAST YEAR, FOOD PRIZES HAVE RISEN NEARLY 9.5%.

NEW JERSEY IS HOME TO SEVERAL BIG FOOD COMPANIES, INCLUDING CAMPBELL'S, GOYA, MARS AND THE OATMEAL COMPANY OATLEY AND WAKE FERN, THE PARENT COMPANY OF THE SHOP RITE SUPERMARKET CHAIN.

MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE COUNTRY'S 100 MAJOR FOOD COMPANIES HAVE SOME PRESENCE IN NEW JERSEY AND HERE'S A FUN FACT.

NEW JERSEY HAS THE SECOND LARGEST POOL OF FOOD SCIENTISTS IN THE COUNTRY IS, ACCORDING TO CHOOSE NJ.

SOME OF THEM WORK AT THE RUTGER'S FOOD INNOVATION CENTER WHICH HELPS COMPANIES LAUNCH NEW FOOD PRODUCTS, INCLUDING THE PLANT-BASED IMPOSSIBLE BURGER.

I SAT DOWN WITH CRAIG PECK, THE SENIOR CENTER FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

CRAIG A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FOOD INFORMATION CENTER AT RUTGER'S.

WHAT IS YOUR MISSION THERE?

>> OUR MISSION HERE -- GREAT QUESTION.

WE HOPE CLIENTS AS THEY ARE BRINGING NEW PRODUCTS TO MARKET IN ALL PHASES FROM THEIR CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH COMMERCIALIZATION AND OVERARCHING MISSION IS TO HELP DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW JERSEY BY BRINGING NEW MANUFACTURING OF THESE GREAT PRODUCTS HERE TO NEW JERSEY.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU HAVE HELPED LAUNCH IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY?

>> ONE OF THE PROBABLY MOST FAMOUS PRODUCTS THAT WE HELPED LAUNCH WAS SOME OF OUR PROCESS ENGINEERING ASSISTANTS AND FOOD SAFETY PLANNING IS IMPOSSIBLE, SO IMPOSSIBLE MEATS WAS LAUNCHED HERE.

WE'VE DEVELOPED A LOT OF GREAT BEVERAGES HERE.

I THINK WE HAVE A CLIENT THAT'S WITH US NOW CALLED SUN DIAL, SO WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME A ANALOG MEAT PRODUCTS THAT WE'RE DEVELOPING.

WE'VE DEVELOPED FIRST FIELD, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR TOMATO PRODUCTS WE HELPED DEVELOP ON THE MARKET, SO HUNDREDS OF PRODUCTS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS.

>> WHY IS INNOVATION IMPORTANT TO FOOD INDUSTRY OVERALL?

>> WITHOUT INNOVATION IN FOOD, I THINK WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS SOME FOOD INSECURITIES THAT ARE BEING, THAT ARE MOVING TOWARDS US DUE TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE BEING ONE OF THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BECOME MORE INNOVATIVE WITH THE WAY WE MANUFACTURE FOOD FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

>> THERE'S OBVIOUSLY BEEN A MOVE TO WHOLE FOOD, HEALTHY FOOD, FOOD WITHOUT A LOT OF PROCESSING IN IT.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO WHAT YOU'RE DOING AT THE INNOVATION CENTER?

>> WELL, SO WE ALWAYS ARE LOOKING AT THE TRENDS AS THEY'RE HAPPENING, AS PART OF THE PHASES THAT WE WORK ON WITH OUR CLIENTS, AS THEY'RE DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS, SO YOU'RE 100% RIGHT, THE WELLNESS AND CLEAN LABEL PRODUCTS, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS FUNCTIONAL PRODUCTS, THINGS THAT ARE HEALTHY FOR US, AND GOOD TASTING, ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE MOVING INTO COMMERCIALIZATION.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT IS, IS THE PRODUCT ON TREND?

IS IT A TREND THAT'S AROUND THE CORNER, OR IS IT A TREND THAT'S COOLING OFF AND ULTIMATELY IS IT A GREAT-TASTING PRODUCT.

>> DO YOU FIND ENTREPRENEURS OR DO THEY FIND YOU?

>> IT'S BOTH.

BUT WE ARE WELL-KNOWN AS BEING AN INCUBATOR, ACCELERATOR WHERE ENTREPRENEURS CAN CREATE PRODUCT AND BRING IT TO MARKET, UNLIKE SOME OTHER INCUBEIATORS.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME HERE AND CREATE THEIR PRODUCTS AND TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO MARKET.

>> IT'S BEEN REALLY GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT THE INNOVATIONS CENTER AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> RUTGER'S IS KNOWN FOR ITS FOOD SCIENCE, BUT AT ONE SOUTH JERSEY SCHOOL, IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING CREATIVE WITH FOOD.

STUDENTS AT THE ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS AT ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAVE SOME SERIOUS SKILLS, SOME HAVE BECOME WELL-KNOWN CHEFS, OTHERS ARE FINDING UNIQUE CULINARY CAREERS, AND THEY AREN'T HAVING TROUBLE LANDING JOBS.

I SPOKE WITH TIM O'DONNELL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE ACADEMY.

TIM, IT'S GREAT TO TALK TO YOU, AS WE FOCUS ON FOOD THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" AND OF COURSE WE NEED CHEFS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED IN DOING.

TELL ME ABOUT THE ACADEMY, HOW MANY STUDENTS GO THROUGH THE ACADEMY, AND WHERE DO THEY GO AFTER THE PROGRAM IS COMPLETED?

>> WE PRODUCE STUDENTS NOT ONLY FOR THE CULINARY ARTS BUT ALSO FOR HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, AND OUR STUDENTS GO OUT AND WORK IN THE FOOD SERVICE BUSINESS, WHICH IS A MUCH BROADER SPECTRUM OF BUSINESSES THAN MOST PEOPLE THINK.

SUCCESS FOR A CULINARY ARTS STUDENT ISN'T ANY LONGER JUST BEING A CHEF IN A RESTAURANT.

IT COULD BE RUNNING A FOOD TRUCK.

IT COULD BE DOING FOOD INSPECTIONS OR FOOD SALES IMPORTS AND SO FORTH.

A LOT OF -- WE JUST ADDED A FOOD TRUCK TO OUR PROGRAM HERE, BECAUSE THE IDEA IN MOST PEOPLE'S HEADS ABOUT OPENING UP A RESTAURANT AND THAT KIND OF THING DOESN'T EVEN SEEM APPROACHABLE BUT THE IDEA OF A FOOD TRUCK IS VERY APPROACHABLE.

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM IN A GIVEN YEAR?

>> WE HAVE CURRENTLY PROBABLY ABOUT 150 STUDENTS WHO WILL BE REGISTERED FOR THE FALL, AND THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN GROWING.

>> AND TELL ME ABOUT SOME OF YOUR STUDENTS.

YOU HAVE SOME RATHER IMPRESSIVE FAMOUS STUDENTS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM THAT ARE NOW DOING BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.

>> WE DO.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS HERE WHO HAVE GONE ON TO BECOME CHEFS IN MANY, MANY RESTAURANTS IN THE REGION, AND AROUND THE WORLD.

WE HAVE SOME OF OUR STUDENTS, ACTUALLY ALL OF OUR FACULTY AT THE MOMENT ARE ALL FORMER STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND WHEN WE GRADUATE STUDENTS HERE, IT'S 100% EMPLOYMENT.

>> THAT'S AMAZING.

I MEAN, YOU'VE HAD A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE CAREER YOURSELF.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHANGE HAS BEEN OVER YOUR CAREER WHEN IT COMES TO CULINARY ARTS?

>> PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE AWARE OF WHAT WE DO AND THEY'RE MUCH MORE SAVVY ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO EAT, THEY'RE MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN CUISINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND DIFFERENT THINGS AND SO IT'S FUN FEEDING THOSE PEOPLE WHO CALL THEMSELVES FOODIES AND THEY MAY KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FOOD THAN SOMETIMES THE CHEF DOES, IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY LIKE AND SO FORTH.

SO IT'S FUN AND CHALLENGING TO MEET THAT NEED.

FROM THE CULINARY SIDE OF THINGS, OR THE SCHOOL SIDE, THE EDUCATION SIDE, ORIGINALLY I THINK THE INTEREST WAS PEOPLE WENT TO CULINARY SCHOOL AND THEY WERE VERY SERIOUS.

THEY WERE DEDICATED TO BEING CHEFS, AND BY THAT, I MEAN CHEFS IN A RESTAURANT, THAT I WOULD SAY 90% OF BOTH THE CULINARY AND PASTRY, MAKIE BAKING PAUSRY STU 90% ANTICIPATED OWNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS AT SOME POINT.

THAT SHIFTED, THAT IDEA OF OWNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND SO FORTH IS A SMALLER PART OF THE WHOLE.

WE HAVE STUDENTS NOW THAT THINK ABOUT SUCCESS IN TERMS OF A CAREER.

>> IT'S GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE STUDENTS AND TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROGRAM IN GENERAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YES, MY PLEASURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

>>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FOOD IN THE GARDEN STATE, OF COURSE WE HAVE TO MENTION FARMING.

YOU MIGHT BE IMAGINING ACRES OF CROPS SPREAD OUT FAR AND WIDE, BUT ONE EXECUTIVE HAS A DIFFERENT VISION.

DAVID ROSENBURG IS ONE OF THE CO-FOUNDERS OF A COMPANY CALLED AERO FARMS, AN INDOOR VERTICAL FARMING COMPANY GROWING GREENS INSIDE SEVERAL NEWARK BUILDINGS.

ROSENBERG WHO SERVES AS CEO ALSO HAS A WHOLE NEW SPIN ON FARM-TO-TABLE.

IT'S SORT OF A FARM-IN-TABLE CONCEPT.

HERE IS HIS STORY.

DAVID, YOU'VE BEEN NEWARK FOR A BIT NOW.

WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE CITY AND HOW HAS THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE BEEN TO YOUR VERTICAL FARM?

>> HEY, RHONDA, GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

SO THE CITY HAS BEEN EXTREMELY INVITING FOR US AT AERO FARMS.

IT'S LIKE BEING A BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND.

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY REALLY RALLIES AROUND ITS OWN, HELPS EACH OTHER, IN A MEANINGFUL WAY, SO IT'S DIFFERENT CHALLENGES OF BUSINESS COME UP, THE COMMUNITY, THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS THERE TO RESPOND AND HELP.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OPPORTUNITIES.

YOUR PRODUCE IS AVAILABLE IN BIG STORES LIKE WHOLE FOODS, STOP & SHOP, OTHER SUPERMARKETS.

IS IT ALSO AVAILABLE IN SMALLER MARKETS IN AND AROUND NEWARK, AND WHEN YOU THINK OF EXPANSION, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT NEXT?

>> WELL, TWO POINTS.

WE ARE, OUR FIRST RETAIL CUSTOMER WAS SHOP RITE IN NEW WORK.

THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO US.

WHEN WHOLE FOODS OPENED ITS DOORS IN NEWARK, WE WERE THERE, WE WERE EXPANDING IN WHOLE FOODS AS WELL.

WE'RE ALSO WITH DIFFERENT RETAILERS LIKE MARCUS BMT, WE'RE ON THE MENU, ALSO BLUEPRINT CAFE, ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS, BOTH OF THOSE ARE TWO OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS, THAT'S IN THE IRON BOUND, WE'RE ON THEIR MENU SO WE'RE BOTH SERVICING SMALL RETAILERS AND BIG RETAILERS, AND FOOD SERVICE, RESTAURANTS, AND ADDITIONALLY, SOMETHING MEANINGFUL WE'VE DONE, WE HAVE THIS COMMUNITY FARM PROGRAM THAT STARTED WITH PHILIPS ACADEMY AND IT'S ROLLING OUT FROM THERE, AND WE'RE BUILDING OUR PRESENCE IN NEWARK AND JERSEY CITY, AND MORE AND MORE OF THESE COMMUNITY FARMS, SO THE KIDS AND THE COMMUNITY HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO OUR INGREDIENTS.

>> HOW DOES THAT WORK EXACTLY?

>> WE ALSO BUILD SMALL FARMS, AND THE SMALL FARMS ARE ABOUT THE SIZE OF LIKE A DINING ROOM TABLE, AND HERE, THE COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY THE KIDS CAN SEED, GROW, HARVEST, AND THEN EAT THE PRODUCT, AND THE PROBLEM WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE THERE IS HELP CHILDHOOD NUTRITION, PEOPLE, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT CALORIES YOU EAT BUT WHAT NUTRITION YOU'RE PUTTING IN YOUR BODY.

>> ANOTHER BIG ISSUE IN YOUR INDUSTRY IS GETTING AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY FOOD INTO LOWER-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

HOW DOES THIS HELP BEYOND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THE SCHOOLS?

HOW ELSE DO YOU HAVE THAT TOUCHPOINT?

>> OUR THOUGHT IS IF WE START WITH THE KIDS AND GET THE KIDS EATING THE RIGHT FOOD, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES SO WORKING IN THE NEWARK CITY SCHOOLS, WORKING IN THE HUDSON COUNTY, DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR AND GET THE DEMAND AND THEN ALSO WORK WITH THE SUPPLIES, SO HOW DO WE GET INTO ALL THE WALMARTS, AND ALL OF THE SUPERMARKETS, THE STOP & SHOPS, THAT CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO, SO THEY HAVE THE ACCESS.

>> AND FINALLY, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF VERTICAL FARMS?

YOU MADE A LOT OF HEADLINES WHEN YOU LAUNCHED.

IS THIS GOING TO BECOME THE NORM?

>> SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GROW MORE AND MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TODAY IN NEWARK.

WE'RE GROWING NOT JUST LEAFY GREENS BUT STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES.

WE'RE GROWING HOPS FOR ANHEUSER-BUSCH, AB IMBEV.

WE'RE BROEG MORE CROPS AND BETTER QUALITY BECAUSE WE CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE PLANT TASTED GREAT BECAUSE THE SUN WAS PERFECT, THE TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY, ALL THIS STUFF, WE'RE ABLE TO DUPLICATE WHAT THE PLANT WANTS TO HAVE GREAT OUTCOMES OF THE PLANT 365 DAYS A YEAR.

>> CADAVID, IT'S BEEN GREAT MEETING YOU AND HEARING YOUR STORY.

I WERE PRESH YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY'S FOOD, CHECK OUT OUR BRAND-NEW SHOW, "TABLE FOR ALL."

JOIN OUR HOST IN THE NEW SERIES EXPLORING HOW FOOD, CULTURE AND TRADITION INTERSECT IN KITCHENS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

THE SHOW HEADS TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND HOME KITCHENS TO TRY NEW CUISINES.

MEET THE PEOPLE PREPARING THEM AND HEAR THE FASCINATING STORIES BEHIND THE RECIPES.

YOU CAN WATCH NEW EPISODES WEDNESDAYS AT 8:00 P.M., ON NJ PBS.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

I'M RHONDA SCHAFLER.

NEXT WEEK WE EXPLORE THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY, SELF-CARE AND FASHION.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND.

>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" PROVIDED BY FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS NJ BIA HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

WE'RE THE VOICE REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES, WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY THROUGH ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, NETWORKING, AND BENEFITS.

NJC'S SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER, AND IBEW LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900, LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY, VISIT IBEW102.ORG.