The people at the Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp. know that proximity to fresh groceries is an issue for many Detroiters. So, taking matters into their own hands, they will open Peaches & Greens, a produce market, in mid-July.
The 1,800-square-foot building is located on Third near Hazelwood. The former dry cleaners most recently was used by the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. CDC bought it for $10,000. They gutted it, put on a new roof, but decided to maintain the majority of the existing walls to keep an "old kind of feel," says executive director Lisa Johanon.
The shop will sell a variety of produce as well as dairy products. CDC's own three-lot community garden will be used to stock the shelves, but Johanon is looking out into the city for more fruits and vegetables. "We are hoping to be able to
encourage entrepreneurs who are gardeners to sell their fresh produce to us, eliminating
the middle man," she says. "Then we can sell at a reduced rate, putting money in people's pocket."
Peaches & Greens also will operate a produce truck that will expand the store's reach into more neighborhoods. "Access is a huge issue for so many people," says Johanon. "I like to say that Eastern Market may as well be in Toledo if you don't have a car."
Peaches & Greens will also have a demonstration kitchen that makes use of in-season crops to showcase healthy cooking techniques. "If we have an abundance of cabbage, we'll make cole slaw in the demonstration kitchen and sell cole slaw," says Johanon.
As with CDC's other commercial ventures, Mr. Fo Fo's and The Freeze, hiring will be done from within the community.
Source: Lisa Johanon, CDC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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