SoLA Update: Newly Powered by HFFI Funding

May 11

We are thrilled to launch a new update series to the blog to introduce you to how SoLA’s day-to-day operations are building the foundation for South LA’s first community-owned grocery store. Everyone deserves to be part of the process as we build South LA’s first community-owned grocery store. We want you to get to know the work that happens between the town halls and the grand opening and learn how to get more involved as a hands-on business owner.

In this first post, we want to share some exciting news about how we are powering this work, and introduce you to the new team that has come on board to help make it happen!

Powered by New HFFI Funding

We are proud to announce that SoLA Food Cooperative has been awarded a FARE Fund technical assistance grant in the amount of $95,000 by America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), administered by the Reinvestment Fund on behalf of USDA Rural Development. This critical technical assistance funding has allowed us to assemble the professional development team now guiding SoLA through our most important growth stages.

Thank you to HFFI and our many partners for investing in our mission and for providing the resources we need to build a permanent, self-sustaining grocery store for South Los Angeles. We also want to express our immense gratitude to SoLA Board Member Shay Wafer, who was instrumental in securing this grant.

In addition to serving on the board, Shay leads the WACO Theater Center and is instrumental in the upcoming grand re-opening of the historic Vision Theatre in Leimert Park. Make sure to RSVP to the Save the Date for their upcoming grand re-opening on the WACO Theater Center website!

Why Our Cooperative Needs a Dedicated Development Team

Opening a food cooperative grocery store has never been a simple endeavor, particularly in a neighborhood like South Los Angeles, which remains the largest food desert in the country. While the mission remains as vital as ever, the barriers to entry and the expenses of starting a co-op have never been higher than in 2026.

That’s why this new grant funding has enabled SoLA to bring on a team with the professional expertise to navigate the complex landscape of community-led development. Brick by brick, we are building the foundation for our grocery store as we identify potential sites, secure capital, and build our membership.

Introducing Our Development Team

Thanks to our new HFFI funding which started in April, we have brought on three core strategic partners who are currently working with us in a part-time capacity:

Project Manager: This role bridges the gap between our vision and the nitty-gritty realities of development. They are responsible for translating community needs into operating frameworks and systems that will allow us to build the membership, capital base, and sustainable operating model needed to acquire a site and start construction. Deepthi Welaratna of Tiny Little Cosmos has stepped into this role through mid-April.
Communications Consultant: This role is focused on building our community voice. They ensure that our outreach—from our digital presence to our partner communications—remains transparent, intellectually grounded, and professionally authoritative. Lisa Richardson of Rise Communications is leading this effort through the end of October.
Fundraising Consultant: Securing the capital for a cooperative is a specialized task. This role serves as a connector and convener between SoLA and our community of donors, partners, and supporters. By fostering collaborative relationships and developing fundraising opportunities, they help secure the resources needed to grow our impact. Whether you have questions, ideas for collaboration, or know of potential funding opportunities, we'd love to hear from you. Mikela Topey of Lorde Dynamics is leading this work through mid-April.

What We’re Working On

Our team is now working closely with founder Bahni Turpin and the rest of the 11-member board of directors of SoLA to understand and start shepherding forward a wide range of activities needed to get us to store opening:

Membership Expansion: We are actively recruiting to reach a minimum of 1,200 member-owners by January 2027 to demonstrate the broad community mandate required to unlock larger funding opportunities. If you’ve been on the fence, please become a member-owner today!
Member Re-engagement: We are launching new initiatives to reconnect with our existing member base, ensuring that every one of our current 735 member-owners feels informed, valued, and empowered to participate in our growth. If you’ve been waiting for an invitation, now is the time to re-engage with an upcoming volunteer opportunity!
Capital Readiness: We are strategically preparing for our capital campaign to secure the necessary funding to complete Stage 3 of our development framework, achieving the critical mass of capital, people, and trust required to move into physical construction. Consider making a donation or contact us about upcoming investment opportunities!
Site Selection: We are currently evaluating site options with specific incentives—including TOC Tier 3, Opportunity Zones, and Housing Element pathways—to ensure we find a location that is both mission-aligned and financially viable. Learn more about South Los Angeles here.
Operational Systems: We are establishing our internal governance and project management frameworks to ensure that when we secure a site, we are ready to move quickly into design and construction. Learn more about our governance structure here.
Community Integration: We are always building and deepening our relationships with local elected officials, Neighborhood Councils, and mission-aligned organizations to ensure our cooperative is fully integrated into the South LA economic development ecosystem.