Detroit People's Food Co-op opens May 1 on Woodward

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Photo credit: Detroit People's Food Co-op Facebook.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - The Detroit People's Food Co-op opens Wednesday, marking the culmination of a 14-year vision.

The Black-led and community-owned cooperative grocery store will host a soft opening at 11 a.m. at 8324 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The grand opening celebration is slated for later in May.

"Come see the result of Detroit's diverse community coming together to envision and create a much needed solution for everyone," said DPFC Board President Lanay Gilbert-Williams. "There is no business in Detroit that has over 2,500 owners from various neighborhoods across the city and state."

As of this week, that number had risen to 2,744 members.

According to the organization, the plans have been in place for a decade with planning, community building and development of the vision.

"The Detroit People’s Food Co-op is a Black-led and community-owned grocery cooperative," according to the website. "The co-op’s purpose is to provide improved access to healthy food and food education to Detroit residents. Meeting the needs of the community is achieved through the democratic control of the co-op by its member/owners."

The Detroit People's Food Co-op accepts non-tax-deductible donations made via PayPal.

If you want to get involved in the co-op, membership is open to residents of Michigan 21 years of age and up. The price to purchase a lifetime member/owner equity share in the co-op is $200 per person (one person per share). The share price can be paid in one lump sum or spread out over 10 monthly installment payments.

However, one does not need to be a member to shop at the co-op.

While the first floor will be a full-service grocery shop, the second floor will operate as a hub for educational workshops and community events. It'll be managed by the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network.