Community embraces new healthy, affordable shopping experience in Detroit

DETROIT – A project years in the making is finally a reality in a Detroit neighborhood.

For years, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op was just an idea. On Wednesday (May 1), its doors were opened, and it will be ready to serve the community.

The goal is to eliminate so-called food deserts, which limit fresh food options in urban communities. The goal is to get fresh food where it’s really needed.

“Today is the day they get to walk in and realize that it’s real,’ said Lanay Gilbert-Williams. “We can all walk in and shop. That matters.”

You would have thought it was a party on Woodward Avenue, with the official opening of the Detroit People’s Food Co-op.

“This is more focused on freshness, and It’s focused on feeding people physically as well as educationally,” said Jesse Brown.

Few grocery stores offer fresh produce in the area. The co-op brings a healthy and affordable shopping experience to Woodward Avenue and West Euclid Street.

“I’m going to pick up some bananas,” Brown said. “We don’t have too many stores in the city of Detroit. Much less those geared towards health and education and community and gardening. Everything really embodies the best of Detroit.”

In addition, regular community members can also become part-owners of the store, something that may not have happened as easily otherwise.

“In this predominantly Black city with very few Black-owned grocery stores, this co-op is Black-lead to encourage, inspire and educate Black people on how to develop their own food system,” Gilbert-Williams said.

“It’s really well thought out and planned,” Brown said. “I know it’s going to be something that’s going to have longevity.”

The co-op has about 2,744 owners, but it’s looking for more, so anyone interested can go to the front office and start the process.