Robert F. Ely was born in Newark, New Jersey. In the 1970s he worked as a community organizer with nonprofit foundations to set up and organize community-owned and operated co-op f...view moreRobert F. Ely was born in Newark, New Jersey. In the 1970s he worked as a community organizer with nonprofit foundations to set up and organize community-owned and operated co-op food markets in economically depressed neighborhoods in New York City, Jersey City, and Newark. He also coordinated workshops and held seminars to educate inner-city youth against drug use and gang violence. He currently lives in northwest New Jersey.view less