We’re Back: Big Wins, Major Federal Support, and the Road to Our Store

If you’ve noticed a pause on our blog over the past two years, it wasn’t because we were sitting still. It’s because we were doing the heavy behind-the-scenes lifting required to bring a real, community-owned grocery store to South Los Angeles.

Building a cooperative grocery store from the ground up isn’t just about stocking shelves; it’s about securing capital, navigating municipal approvals, and laying an unshakeable organizational foundation. Today, we are thrilled to break the silence and share some updates about where SoLA stands and how close we are to opening our doors.

Landmark Support: America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)

We are proud to share that SoLA Food Co-op was selected as a recipient of technical assistance and infrastructure funding through America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund.

Out of hundreds of applications across the nation, SoLA was chosen as one of just 64 projects driving retail food innovation. This transformative federal backing directly funds our mobilization effort by allowing us to expand our operational team, refine our final business plan, and relaunch our membership drives.

Combined with recent discretionary grant support from LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, these wins validate what our community has known since 2011: SoLA is the long-term solution to food apartheid in South Los Angeles.

Thank you for standing with us through every phase of this journey. We didn't come this far to only come this far! With your support, South LA’s first community-owned grocery store will belong to all of us.