[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap]n organic grocery popup servicing low income communities in L.A. is trying to revive one of Crenshaw’s only organic and historic food options, and they need your help.
Before it shut down, the store known as Mr. Wisdoms was “one of the only places you could get a veggie burger, wheatgrass shot, or anything healthy in the neighborhood,” says Olympia Auset, founder of popup operation SÜPRMARKT. Mr. Wisdom’s was located just a few doors down from what is now known as Nipsey Hussle Square — the southwest corner of Slauson Avenue at Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles, named after the late rapper who was gunned down this spring outside of his store.
Earlier this month Auset started an Indiegogo campaign to revive the Mr. Wisdoms, aware of the urgent needs for more black entrepreneurship and innovation in South L.A. Currently, the campaign has less than a week left to go and has raised about 90 percent of its first goal.
Hussle’s murder in late March of this year, affected the entire city and had a personal effect on Auset. “Our biggest lesson from Nipsey's life is actually doing what you know is needed instead of wasting time thinking about it.”
Auset didn’t find out that Mr. Wisdoms closed until after Nipsey had passed. The wheat grass factory closed its doors in January 2019, leaving a void in the community with limited healthy food options. South LA is home to 1.3 million residents and only 60 grocery stores. By comparison, West L.A. has about half the amount of residents and a similar amount of stores.
Health disparities kill more people than anything else in this country. An interactive map of L.A. County shows that residents living in the Northwest part of the county – like Malibu and Beverly Hills – have a life expectancy over 15 years greater than residents living in parts of Southeast and Northeast L.A.
[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]n 2016 Auset realized she had to travel upwards of two hours just to find fresh produce in South L.A.. Eventually she had enough. Auset launched SÜPRMARKT the same year “to make it easy for Angelenos to eat well, no matter where they live.”
The model is simple: The indie grocer delivers to your door a monthly or weekly crate of fresh, organic produce based on your needs and selections. Since starting, SÜPRMARKT has delivered over 25,000 pounds of produce to people in South L.A. and beyond.
Looking to grow and to revive Mr. Wisdom's, Auset and the SÜPRMARKT team are looking to raise atleast $75,000 by July 5. They could use your help by donating money, reposting their campaign on your social media channels, organizing a group donation, or simply reaching out to people (IRL) about what SÜPRMARKT is trying to accomplish and the importance of food access equality.
Support the campaign here!
RELATED: How This POC, Women-Led Group Is Taking a DIY Approach to Feeding South L.A.'s Homeless
