Awesome Foundation 2025
https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/submissions/new?chapter=dc
Tell us about your awesome project! (2000 chars)
We want to buildstarted a new cooperative grocery store in DC. We've started small,DC, serving ourdues-paying members out of a shared space in a church, and are looking to grow.
Groceries are gettingincreasingly moreexpensive, and more expensive. Whilewhile the Mid-Atlantic is able to grow a lot of what need,we foreat, somemuch reason that isn'tof where our food usually comes from.from elsewhere. What if we could stay local and eat what we grow? Is there enough money in the system to make it worth thelocal farmers' time? We arestrongly strong in our convictionbelieve that by working directly with farmers in our region,region and otherwise being intentional about sourcing from affordable and sustainable sellers for items that local folks can't grow, we canwill ultimately provide good food at a reasonable priceprices that keeps more money in the pockets of both the farmers and ourlocal community.
Currently, we pick up produce from a farmers' market and distribute to members the same day due to the limited shared fridge space available to us. What if we could offer produce all week and keep a stock of frozen products for members to buy? If we want to serve more people and offer a variety of fresh food, we're going to need to expand and have our own dedicated cold storage. We're on the path to moving into our own storefront, and any appliances or storage we acquire now will come with us to that space.space and help us grow.
How will you use the money? (500 chars)
- 2 chest freezers (10 cu. ft. each) = $700
- LLC incorporation fees = $
275300 - Total = $1000
Tell us a little about yourself (500 chars)
Greens & Beans is a budding food co-op founded in DC's Ward 2 in 2024. We are a worker-focused cooperative whose mission is to link DC residents with good, localgood food at a reasonable priceprices thatin workssupport forof thelocal producers and the members.producers. We have 20 active members and we'reare already working with a nearby farm to source our produce.produce offerings. In the next year, we'rewe lookingaim to grow to 50 members, have a physical storefront, and work with multiple farmerslocal tofarmers, and increase our variety.
Images of your project
offerings.
How does your project *directly* benefit the city and citizens of Washington DC? Specifically: #1 -What DC Ward are you based in? #2 - What DC Ward(s) will your proposal serve?
We are based in Ward 2, but we welcome members from across the city. We directly benefit our DC neighbors by providing produce and pantry staples at low prices through bulk purchasing and negotiating directly with farmers.
When will your project take place, when do you need the money and how will you raise the rest of the money required for success?
The freezers will be put to use immediately so that we would be able tocan store our food securely and for longer periods of time than the current shared fridge space allows. We offer extra shopping hours on Wednesdays, but it's currently only dry goods; cold storage will immediately expand our offerings. We have recently expanded our advertising to popular local newsletters (e.g., 730DC) which is bringing an influx of new interested members, increasingwhich also increases our total funding through member dues and purchasing power.
OnIn top of that,addition, we are pursuing an agreement with a local cafe to utilize one of their vacant properties as our storefront. The funding for rent will come from a revenue sharing agreement. The purchased appliances would come with us to that space.
How did you hear about the Awesome Foundation and (optional) what are your social media accounts so we can help promote your awesome idea?
We heard about it from the Beloved Community Incubator. We have an Instagram account (@greensandbeansgrocery) and website (https://ward2coop.com).
Images of your project
