COVID-19 Has Shined a Light on Disparity Across America

Fresh at the Avenue is the realization of a community's demand for access to fresh, affordable, high quality produce.

Since Fresh launched in 2016, it has been on a mission to improve personal and community health by providing dignified access to fresh, affordable produce, education, meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities. Our model continues to prove that poor, and working class families who live in food apartheid spend money on locally grown, organic, minimally processed, and nutrient dense foods when they are available.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Fresh at the Avenue planned to expand operations to four days per week, add four new staff positions, and diversify our products in order to serve our community better. In recent weeks, Fresh at the Avenue has had to cease all regular operations due to the closure of Baltimore Public Markets. This moment has given us the opportunity to be thoughtful about a strategy that is responsive to the current needs of our residents that also builds resilience for the ever changing world of the future.

The Central West Baltimore Buying Club is an opportunity for residents in 21217 to still have access to fruits and vegetables as was offered at Fresh at the Avenue, and much more including but not limited to grocery items, household cleaning supplies/disposables, heat and eat meals, and more all while enjoying free delivery directly to their homes. As inclusive as this strategy is intended to be, we recognize that some families who have been hit hardest by COVID-19 may still not be able to participate.

For that, we are appealing to you to pay it forward by sponsoring the groceries of a family in need. Consider sponsoring the essentials, a week or a month of food for a family of four. All donations, at any amount will be used to supplement those neighbors in need. We thank you for your partnership and commitment to building a more unified and empowered Central West Baltimore, across the boundaries of race, class, and neighborhood.

Forward Together,

Sache Jones, Director of Health and Food Justice