Macrobiotic Research Project

MACROBIOTICS IN THE UNITED STATES: An Assessment of Services and Activities

Study Areas in New Jersey: Bergen-Essex -Union-Morris Counties

Bergen-Essex-Union-Morris Counties, NJ

Map of Bergen-Essex-Union-Morris Counties

Summary and Impressions of the Macrobiotic Community: Thanks to the dynamic energy of Shosh Aviner, macrobiotic activity in Bergen County across the Hudson River from Manhattan, is operating at peak capacity. In the West Orange-Livingston area, Elaine Nussbaum has counseled and taught cooking together with Karen Weinstock, since the mid 1980's; Elaine no longer gives cooking lessons, but continues to give health counseling. Elaine's book "Recovery from Cancer" is an inspiration to cancer survivors. Rina Schleifer gave cooking lessons and had a food co-op in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Dinah Goldberg gave cooking lessons in Englewood until a few years ago. It is interesting to see how the activity of one person, Shosh Ayiner, with strong leadership qualities can make such a difference in the success of a community.

Paid or Potluck Dinners: There is a monthly potluck dinner every month in Lincoln Park, but no macrobiotic dinners.

Education Centers: None.

Seminars: Every 2 - 3 months, someone comes from outside the area to teach in the Teaneck vicinity. Past teachers have included Verne Varona, Lino Stanchich, Warren Kramer, Tom Monte. Asher Lazar used to lecture and give cooking lessons before he moved to Israel 3 years ago.

Newsletter: The Health Awareness Coalition of Great New Jersey has just started to advertise Shoshana Aviner's cooking lessons and macrobiotic events. It will also include articles about visitors.

Support Groups: None.

Visiting Counselors and Cooking Teachers: Verne Varona, Lino Stanchich, Warren Kramer, Tom Monte, Asher Lazar

Resident Counselors: Elaine Nussbaum

Resident Cooking Teachers: Shoshana Aviner, Gina Racas-Gold

Professional Cooks or Caterers: Shoshana Aviner

Work Study Programs: None

Other Counselor Interests: Shoshana Aviner distributes safety coatings, and acts.

Promotional Activities: Newsletter, word of mouth

Publications, Books, Cassettes: At local health food stores

Web Sites: http://edenfoods.com/

Cottage Industries: None

Macrobiotic Restaurants: No macrobiotic restaurants; 9 restaurants, in addition to Fresh Fields whole foods supermarkets, with vegan options

Natural Food Chain Stores: Fresh Fields (Whole Foods), Wild Oats

Independent Natural Food Stores: Natural Basic Food

Natural Food Co-Ops: None.

Mail Order Buying Clubs: None.

Macrobiotic Community Assessment: Healthy Services: 1 counselor & 3 cooking teachers; visiting counselors. Macrobiotic services started in the late 1980’s. Healthy Activities: monthly pot luck dinner; quarterly lectures; newsletter.

Area Description: Bergen, Essex, Morris and Union Counties in Northern New Jersey are all part of the New York Metropolitan Area.

Municipalities with Macrobiotic services or community activities: Allandale, Bellevue, Edgewater, Emerson, Livingston, Madison, Millburn, Montclair, Morristown, Parsippany, Ridgewood, Teaneck, Tenafly, Westfield, West Orange.

Link to Macrobiotic Practitioners who were interviewed in Bergen-Essex-Union-Morris, NJ for this project who also earn money by providing Macrobiotic services

This work was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number U48/CCU409664-09 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A 2-year grant sponsored by Centers of Disease Control; October 2000 to September 2002

University of South Carolina, Prevention Research Center-Special Interest Project, School of Public Health