Join Fertile Ground Food Co-Op to End Raleigh Food Desert
Last updated on September 27th, 2024 at 06:56 pm
Fertile Ground is a Black-led food cooperative based in Raleigh, NC.
They’ve raised millions of dollars to build a community-owned grocery store and community center in Southeast Raleigh, a predominantly Black neighborhood in a food desert.
Imagine doing your weekly grocery shopping at a store with the best and freshest food, often local, that has a cafe where you can co-work and also provides a place for community-centered events and workshops.
And you have an ownership stake in this store, which means that you have voting rights to determine the future of the store.
That’s what Fertile Ground is going to build.
Disclosure: I am a member-owner of Fertile Ground Food Cooperative.
What is a food co-op / food cooperative?
A food co-op is a grocery store that is owned by community members.
Food cooperatives operate independent of other grocery stores and are built for and by the community to serve the best interests of the community.
How did Fertile Ground Food Cooperative (FGFC) start?
Originally, community members of the Southeast Raleigh neighborhood were interested in opening a cafe.
But Kroger, the main grocery store in the neighborhood, closed.
Community members gathered again and decided to open a grocery store in response to Kroger’s closing.
Why is the success of Fertile Ground Food Cooperative (FGFC) so important?
FGFC is an example of the hard work and resilience of community members who will ensure that they have access to fresh, nutritious and delicious food.
And without relying on traditional grocery stores and grocery chains.
This Raleigh grocery store will:
- create more jobs for Southeast Raleigh
- stock produce and products from local farmers & food entrepreneurs and
- circulate money within the community
Is FGFC a Black owned grocery store?
Since anyone can become a member-owner, no, it is not a Black owned grocery store.
However, this is a Black-led food cooperative and grocery store.
How to support FGFC
The easiest way to support this Black-led initiative is to become a member-owner and/or donate.
Become a member-owner of Fertile Ground Food Cooperative
Membership costs between $25 and $100 for your entire household. This is a one-time fee.
You can become a member-owner by signing up on the website.
Donate
Donations of any size are greatly appreciated and can be made on the Fertile Ground website.
Other ways to show your support
Spreading the word about FGFC is a great way to show your support.
Talk to your friends and colleagues about the importance of collective ownership of your local food system.
If your big box grocery store like Wegmans, Trader Joe’s or Kroger closed, what would you do?
Where would you get your food, toiletries and cleaning supplies?
Even if you don’t know anyone in the Raleigh-Durham area, there are people across the US (and around the world) interested in joining this mission and/or learning from Fertile Ground so that they can start their own local food cooperatives.
Where can you find FGFC?
FGFC has monthly community meetings in-person, often at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA.
Visit the Events page of their website to learn more and to get involved with the food co-op.
You can also find this organization tabling at events like the Black Farmer’s Market, which alternates between their Durham and Raleigh locations.
Other food cooperatives in the U.S.
Black owned grocery store in Oakland: Mandela Grocery Cooperative
