Update on the coming Rastelli Foods Store in Salem
SALEM CITY, N.J. — A collective feeling of “at last” washed over the Old Salem Courthouse on Monday afternoon, March 9, 2026. Relief is officially on the horizon for Salem City residents as officials updated the public on the groundbreaking partnership to bring a fresh grocery store to Fenwick Commons on East Broadway in Salem City.
The initiative is a joint effort between Alloway-based Ranch Hope and Rastelli Foods, aiming to directly address Salem City’s long-standing status as a “food desert.” Currently, there are no grocery stores offering fresh food within the city limits, forcing residents to commute to the Walmart in Pennsville Township or the Acme in Pilesgrove for basic necessities.
The presentation to local citizens was led by Assemblyman Dave Bailey, who also serves as the CEO of Ranch Hope. Bailey, a driving force behind the project, introduced Ray Rastelli, the owner of Gloucester County-based Rastelli Foods. While Rastelli Foods is now a global food distributor boasting 1,400 employees and operating in numerous countries, Rastelli’s roots are decidedly local.
Rastelli shared his story of opening a local butcher shop in Oak Valley at just 19 years old. He built his business from the ground up through the support of friends and family, famously going door-to-door with his wife to ask local residents for their support. Speaking for over 10 minutes before taking questions, Rastelli emphasized a recurring theme: this new Salem City store will be just as reliant on the support and input of the community as the community will be on the grocery store.
State-of-the-Art Offerings and a Return to Home Cooking
The planned 2,000-square-foot, ground-level grocery store promises to bring all the bells and whistles of a high-quality market to Salem. Residents can expect fresh produce, seafood, and affordable, fresh prepared meals among much more.
Beyond just selling groceries, Rastelli spoke passionately about a core mission to promote cooking at home. He noted that younger generations often lack culinary experience, defaulting to “grabbing a sub from Wawa” instead of making that same sandwich at home for a fraction of the cost. By providing affordable, healthy, and fresh alternatives, the new store hopes to make home cooking the healthier and more economical choice for Salem families.
Location of the future grocery store in Salem in collaboration with Rastelli and Ranch Hope
Community Growth and Self-Sustainability
The vision for the Fenwick Plaza location goes beyond simply selling food. Rastelli emphasized that the store aims to create lasting career opportunities—not just jobs—for Salem citizens and residents of surrounding communities. The ultimate goal is to liven up the city, restore local pride, and make Fenwick Plaza a hub of growth that attracts further business investment.
Crucially, Rastelli addressed the long-term financial strategy. When asked if the store would rely on grants to stay afloat, his answer was a definitive “no.” The business model is designed to be entirely self-sustainable.
What’s Next? (What Will It Be Called?)
During the Q&A segment, officials addressed several practical community concerns:
- Timeline: The store will open within 3 to 6 months, with advance notice given to the community.
- Accessibility: The store will proudly accept SNAP benefits.
- Parking: When asked about parking logistics, officials noted that they “are working on it.”
Perhaps the most exciting immediate next step is naming the store. Rather than bringing in a corporate name, Rastelli announced that he is letting the Salem community choose what the grocery store will be called.
The company is actively seeking feedback on both the name and what specific items residents want to see stocked on the shelves of their new 2,000-square-foot market.
Note from the Author: We attempted to reach Assemblyman Dave Bailey but did not receive a response.
