If there’s one thing we need more of in the Black community, it’s Black-owned grocery stores. Many Black and minority neighborhoods are often referred to as “food deserts”, lacking fresh produce and healthy options that are in close proximity to their housing. Having access to healthy food options at an affordable price is necessary to help combat health issues that primarily affect the Black community such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Although there aren’t an abundance of Black-owned grocery stores in the U.S., there are a few that we should support and shop with.
Here are 7 Black-owned grocery stores around the U.S.:
Grocery Outlet – Compton, California
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The owner, Eugene Bennette, prides himself on encouraging healthy eating in the Black community as well as educating community members on diabetes.
Forty Acres Fresh Market – Chicago, Illinois
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Located on the West Side of Chicago, this grocery store is helping fight food inequality in Black neighborhoods.
Ojaexpress – Chicago, Illinois
Although based in Chicago, you can order groceries online to be delivered directly to your door. You can find a wide variety of ethnic foods such as African, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Latin and more.
Cleo’s Bodega Grocery And Café – Indianapolis, Indiana
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All of the produce sold at Cleo’s is grown locally by Flanner House. There is also a café to get a delicious meal before or after food shopping.
Modaland Market Place – Las Vegas, Nevada
Modaland has a wide variety of African and Caribbean products, as well as clothing and handbags.
West Phillie Produce – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The owner, Arnett Woodall, is passionate about bringing fresh and affordable food to Black communities. He hires youth from the neighborhood to work at West Phillie Produce while teaching them the basics of running a store.
Buy Better Foods – Brooklyn, NY
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Black-owned and woman-owned, this grocery store offers local and natural foods as well as health and wellness products.
