Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Reeves.
Hi Paige, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Napier Heights Food Co-Op rose out of a need to feed the community of Napier Heights. This community is a historically underserved area of Middle Georgia, and people within the community sought to change that. Andrea Cooke with C-Qul started Napier Heights Food Co-Op in 2021 for this reason. I had the pleasure of connecting with her and she and I shared many of the same ideas for the community. I manage the market, but really the community is the driving force behind this market and Co-Op. We believe that a community has a right to be fed how they have asked, that culture should be included in how we are fed, that the community should have a voice.
Our Co-Op is dedicated to eliminating food apartheid in the Middle Georgia area. The community in which we are based has experienced food apartheid for decades, but especially so within the last few years when the closest grocery store closed. Even then, it wasn’t within walking distance of the neighborhood. The closest grocery store now is 4 miles away and may or may not have what is needed. We are still establishing the market, so we are smaller, but hoping to see a big growth come this year.
We are a partner market with Wholesome Wave Georgia so that those who have SNAP benefits can expand their spending power with us. This program allows more equitable access to fresh fruits and vegetables and makes it possible for local producers to earn a fair wage as well.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with all good things we love and care about, nothing is going to be 100% smooth. We have faced challenges that are extremely frustrating, but working alongside these wonderful women has helped me keep going! We are still a fairly new market and with that comes the frustrations of a slow market. We are an outdoor market with only vendor tents, so the weather is a struggle some days. We face ignorance as well, which to me has been the biggest challenge. Why would anyone want others to go hungry because of the color of their skin or the lack of money they have?
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work with the non-profit as the manager of Napier Heights Food Co-Op, but I’m also a mom to 4 amazing kids. They inspire me, drive me to make our community better not just for them but for the future. I get to live out my dream of making this world a better place because of them and this organization. I am a nutritionist student as well, which is really handy, I get to utilize the knowledge I learn in the classroom setting. I would say that I am most proud of the way this organization has come together to make sure that people are being honored and valued while also being fed. We get to serve this community and make sure they have food to not only just feed their bodies, but their minds as well. Our organization was founded within the neighborhood we primarily serve with the purpose to listen and provide what was communicated to us. I think that makes us different because most organizations I have seen go into a community and tell that community what they need.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am all for taking risks! I think it’s how amazing things happen! Sure there is a ton of hard work involved, but that initial chance you take can be a risk. Risks are inherently scary because they sort of push us to be better, to do the thing we always wanted to do. Risks make you work harder towards your goal. They make you proud that you did take that leap. We might stumble and fall, but if the goal is worth it, we’ll get back up and make it happen. Risks are that little voice in your head that tells you to get back up after you have fallen. We’re human, we are prone to mistakes and setbacks. Without taking risks, we’d never move forward, we’d never make this world a better place.
Contact Info:
- Website: napierheightsfoodcoop.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhfoodcoop/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057146422060
