By: Hasani Ali
Detroit, Mich. – Who says that Melanoid people don’t support their own? Those naysayers should swing over to the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Ellsworth Street and see what our people are flocking to on the weekends.
Detroit native Bruce Muhammad, along with his wife, Lakeisha, have been operating a produce outlet, called Eat 2 Live Produce, with their two daughters since mid-May. Like many urban cities across the country, much of the harvest is grown and sold by non-Melanoid families. The local markets don’t have fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance either. Most rely on a Kroger or Meijer (Michigan retail store) to purchase their groceries for the family.
Muhammad saw an entrepreneurial opportunity to serve his community after receiving insight from local farmers.
“They were telling me how there’s not enough retail outlets to sell their crops to,” he said. “That immediately rung a bell in my head that something can and be should be about the health and economic situation here in Detroit.” After a ten-year career as a Mortgage Broker, Muhammad quit and decided to go into business for himself. Since their opening on Mother’s Day weekend, the response from the West Detroit area has been phenomenal. “Once the stand went up, people in the community came out to support us and they kept on coming,” Muhammad said. “We’re pushing to close theirs mouths from McDonald’s and open their minds to eating healthy.”
His vision was to bring life to the community. Ironically, he set up the stand directly across the street from a medical marijuana dispensary and a meat market.
“We’re so immune to death around here,” Muhammad said. “And we resort to the quick fixes when we don’t deal with the real problem, which is our diets.” The subliminal message was simple to those around him – your key to health is in the food. “As a nation, we spend an average of $92 Billion on fast food every year,” Muhammad said. “From that, our people remain sick and the pharmaceutical company are sitting rich based off our bad habits.”
Muhammad and his wife, who met during Saviour’s Day weekend last year, understand that this mission is bigger than themselves.
After Lakeisha moved from Tulsa, Okla., they wasted no time formulating a plan to help employ some of Detroit’s residence with the expense of people eating healthy. “With her being from the place of Black Wall Street and Detroit being home of the Nation of Islam, the energy between us was definitely astounding,” Muhammad said. The stand may be small now, but the family is looking to expand. Their goal is to move into a building in Highland Park, Mich., by the fall season. As the business expands to two locations, the family will be looking for help with delivery, customer assistance and other possible positions that are needed.
Along with fresh fruits and vegetables, Eat 2 Live Produce has featured item as Ginger Lemonade, jams and jellies, Bean Pie and Curry Chicken (at least that was for the featured meal for that day). The stand is open Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Muhammad was asked about the myth about Melanoid people supporting their own and he responded, “come see us,” with a smile.
I love this! Thank you for sharing.
Farmers markets is something I grew up participating in .When I moved to my new city not so much and I can tell by the health of the people it is greatly affected.
Healthy food brings about a healthy lifestyle and then there is really not room for fast food places. Where I grew up there were more organic styled resturants and vegan,vegetarian quick service places. Where I live now it’s nothing but chain fast food resturants and a few old style family resturants
I grow some fruits but I wish my harvest yielded more so that I could sell them.
Maybe you Can post some helpful tips from these great farmers .
Thanks!
Metro Foodland is another black owned & operated grocery store out there. Detroit is also doing urban farming.
If you live in a dry region of the United States and want a high yield of herbs, fruits and vegetable start with a good irrigation system and organic soil.
Automatic drip irrigation systems are best if you have a busy schedule. The system will apply an even amount of water throughout the day. On hot days, automatic drip systems can be set to water longer. With a good irrigation system, you will have enough produce for your family, friends and neighbors. You may consider selling you produce at a local farmers market.
If you want to grow plants indoor, consider aqua phonics. It is a system the uses irrigation, fish and plants to produce great tasting herbs that can be used for food, flavoring, medicine and culinary.
@sportingz_one
Thanks for the tips.
Here’s the thing I live in drought country (nor-cali) we can only water 3 days a week at certain times in my city. I need plants that can withstand serious sun and little to no water. I’m in my 2nd year year of a grapes(too early to judge the taste quality) but my fruit trees are hanging in there by a thread. The weather has really put a beating on them last year was severe cold and this year the heat and no water.The fruit seems to be getting smaller every year.,
@R8sing A Nation
If you live in the Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area do not let the drought discourage you from gardening.
You still have morning fog and afternoon sun that can be used to your advantage.
Use a heavy layer of mulches like redwood mulch, forest floor bark and cedar. These mulches will trap precious water from the morning fog and overcast.
Your area is wonderful for growing grapes and fruits. Add mulch, put them on an automatic drip system and set it to 3 days a week. Because of the Mediterranean climate in the Oakland North Coast Bay Area, grapes grow fast. Consider taking a wine making class at Los Positas College in Livermore which is 30 miles east of Oakland. Los Positas College has a 30 acre vineyard so you will get hands on experience. Turn your grapes into a money making system. Here is a list of herbs that can be used for cooking that perform well under drought condition:
1. Chives
2. Oregano
3. Rosemary
4. Sage
5. Sweet marjoram
6. Thyme
Consider selling your excess herbs to local chefs.
Don’t forget to use organic soil and an automatic drip system to give your plants an even consistent flow of water. Make sure your plants are getting six (6) hours of sunlight.
If your water bill gets to high, consider Aquaphonics which is an ancient Egyptian method of watering.
Ah man thanks! great info!
Please keep me up-to-date of your growth!
Great info and story I’ve been waiting for years to see growth in an area noted for death may they Blessed to keep going I’ll see them Thursday
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