South East Market Spotlight

South East Market is a women-owned, local grocery store in the 49507 zip code of Grand Rapids. Their mission is “to increase access to healthy, affordable and culturally-accepted food for our community through a sustainable and equitable lens.” Their food is sourced from traditionally marginalized groups and they also seek to support environmentally sustainable businesses. In order to be accessible to their neighborhood, they offer free delivery to 49507 and accept Snap and EBT. Besides offering healthy food options, they also seek to provide educational and community enrichment opportunities that are otherwise lacking within the neighborhood. For example, the Soul-to-Soul program allows customers to purchase a produce bundle subscription for someone else in need. Produce bundle subscriptions are weekly combinations of locally sourced, in-season fruits and vegetables meant to pair well together. It is an easy way to get fresh produce, and the Soul-to-Soul program allows for many customers to benefit from the subscription. In collaboration with the City of Grand Rapids and the NAACP of Greater Grand Rapids, they offer MLK Freedom School, which provides young people opportunities to learn about social justice movements, food sovereignty, and topics surrounding equity and resiliency, while also participating in mindfulness activities and receiving free books.

South East Market is located at 1220 Kalamazoo Ave and is open Monday-Friday from 11 AM – 7 PM and Saturday from 10 AM – 7 PM. Follow them on Instagram @southeastmarketgr or visit their website https://www.southeastmarketgr.com for updates.

ASHLEY BOX

Guest Writer at The City Voice

I am a senior at City and a guest author with the City Voice! I am passionate about women's rights and am also involved with Girl Up, NHS, band, and Student Ambassadors.