The African Heritage Food Co-Op is celebrating its first "Community Day" this Saturday, Oct. 6. The event will take place at 2616 Highland Ave, Niagara Falls, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The day will be spent celebrating their new space for the community's grocery store with free food provided by Community Center of Niagara, a bounce house, face painting and Body by Ford personal fitness (hosting activities for kids). Additionally, beverages will be provided by new Niagara Community Center.
"While we are excited about bringing healthy options and access to the Highland area, we are more so focused on providing business ownership and control," said Alex Wright, founder of the African Heritage Food Co-Op. "For it is ownership, control and cooperative economics, for our communities' direct benefit, that will propel us to healthier, safe and more self-sufficient neighborhoods."
Seth Piccirillo, director of Niagara Falls Community Development, said. "We are proud to be a part of this transformative north end project that combines community health with local entrepreneurship."
The following people from local organizations have donated their time to make this event possible: Wright and Fredrica Harris, African Heritage Food Co-op; Piccirillo, Niagara Falls Community Development; Owen Steed, Niagara County District 4 legislator; Erika Kastel and Lauren Garabedian, United Way of Greater Niagara; Greer Hamilton, Oishei Foundation/Mobile Safety Net Team; Felecia Johnson and Clement Kwakye, Community Health Center of Niagara; Charles Harris, Project Green Space; the Rev. Raymond Allen, Niagara Ministerial Council and NOAH; Sara Capen, National Niagara Heritage Area; Kartika Carr, NOAH and the New Niagara Community Center; Marla Guarino, Cornell Cooperative Extension; Venita Jackson, Concerned Citizen Tomorrow; and Tomorrow Allen Collins and Janine Guy, Niagara Falls Housing Authority.