Carla’s Fresh Market, a neighborhood grocery store located in Los Angeles’ Highland Park, opened on November 29. The location provides high-quality produce and food products prepared by BIPOC growers and small businesses to often-overlooked and underserved areas, reports local news source Los Angeles Sentinel.
The 3,000-square-foot storefront provides the essentials with space for discovery, offering high-quality pantry staples, produce, alcohol, coffee, and grab-and-go options.
“Once inside a friendly staff is key to providing a hospitable customer experience while introducing shoppers to new products,” said Ilunga, whose vision is to impact the local community by providing a food source that can facilitate discovery.
Local farmers, artisans, and food makers are the primary sources for Carla’s offerings. She typically prioritizes small family farms that cultivate on less than five acres, restocking weekly from businesses such as Weiser Family Farms, Rick’s Seasonal Produce, and Sunrise Organic Farm.
“It wasn’t as challenging finding Brown or Latino farmers as it was finding Black farmers. Most of the people who grow our food in Southern California are Brown. If they are not the direct owner of the land, they are most certainly in the field,” Ilunga said.
Ilunga is committed to empowering her employees, offering transferable skill training, high wages, and hiring from within the community. Full Story
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Image: Carla’s Fresh Market