Portland observer., May 23, 2012, Page 5, Image 5

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May 23, 2012
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Produce and healthy snacks get top billing in the new Village Market located in the New Columbia Neighborhood of north Portland.
Village Market Success
c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 3
under the age of 18-years-old.
“It’s the people’s store,” said
Mychal Tetteh, project manager of
the market.
Recognizing the need for af-
fordable food and market options
for residents of the New Colum-
bia, St. Johns Woods and Tama-
rack neighborhoods, residents
joined together, with the support
of Janus Youth Programs staff and
volunteers, Home Forward, and
local and national business con-
sultants to make the market a sue-
cess. “Before the market was here,
there wasn’t any produce between
Interstate and St. Johns,” said
Tetteh. “There was certainly a
produce gap, but there was also a
full-service grocery gap in the
neighborhood. So we are filling
that too.”
The goal, he said, is to build a
strong community, while simulta­
neously increasing access to a
healthier lifestyle.
Throughout the day, custom-
ers can purchase custom made
deli sandwiches and other afford-
able options, including $1 fresh
fruit smoothies. “Our mission is
to deliver quality fresh, afford­
able groceries,” he said.
Tetteh added, that it is impor­
tant to note what the store doesn’t
carry, as much as it is to appreci­
ate what they do. Village Market
does not carry any tobacco prod-
ucts or alcoholic beverages, and
although often the best way for a
business to make their money, the
store also does not carry lotto
tickets, he said.
The store also employs people
from the neighborhood, and even
people who live in the same build-
ing as the market, which has served
over 10,000 customers, created
over 20 employment opportuni­
ties, and attracted over 140 volun­
teers.
The inside walls are decorating
with colorful murals, donated and
worked on by residents to give
the store local community flavor,
“So far we have been growing
every month,” Tetteh said. “And
for being a year in, we are doing
really well.”
12-months later, he said the
question of how to get to the next
level of sustainability currently
interests him the most.“We are a
not for profit enterprise, but to be
self sufficient we can’t throw
money away,” he said,
“We want to be a self sustain-
ing institution that reflects the
needs of the community and also
provides employment opportuni-
ties for those who are out of work.”
According to Tetteh, Village
Market works with a variety of
organizations and programs to
involve as many people who want
to be a part of the project, includ-
ing staff from the workforce de-
velopment program, senior’s pro­
gram and the steps to success
program.
Daborah Mayom, a volunteer
with Village Market, stopped in
the store last week to purchase
produce and some meat for the
following night’s dinner.
Although busy with school,
Mayom said she always finds the
time to volunteer with Village Mar-
ket, which rests in the neighbor-
hood she lives. “I love this store,”
she said. “And I Love to volun-
leer all the time. It is good for me,
and it is fun.”
Medina Negatu, a resident of
photos by M indy
C(X) per ZT he P ortland O bserver
Village Market Project Manager Mychal Tetteh greets Dabarah
Mayom, one of the non-profit store's volunteers and customers.
the community, has been a volun-
teer with Village Market since
opening day. “We have more
healthy options and more activi-
ties to get involved in,” she said
during a recent health fair held for
north Portland residents. “A lot
of people in this community don’t
know much about health and
healthy food options.”
But having Village Market here
is like having a health fair every
day, said Tetteh, who hopes more
Portlanders will learn about what
their store has to offer the city.
The top three ways to support
both the market and healthy
lifestyles is to shop at Village mar­
ket, volunteer time and spread the
word, he added. “We are Portland’s
best kept secret,” he said.
To celebrate the one year anni­
versary of the market, everyone is
welcome to an event will be held
on Monday, May 28 to celebrate
the Village Market and their suc­
cess in providing healthy food
options to local residents that are
affordable and convenient.
“We want to get the broader
Portland community to know
where and why it is important for
them to shop here,” said Tetteh.
“We want them to know they can
shop their ideals and shop their
values in a way they can’t shop
anywhere else.”
For more information about Vil­
lage Market or how to become in-
volved, visit villagegardens.org.
Free Workshop:
Community-Based Research in the
Classroom and on the Streets
With Dr. Michelle Fine-
2012 commencement speaker for the Graduate School
of Education and Counseling at Lewis& Clark. Dr.
Fine is a professor and researcher who works on social
justice projects with youth, women and men in prison,
educators, and social movements on the ground.
Saturday, June 2
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Self Enhancement, Inc.
3920 North Kerby Ave., Portland
Sponsored by Self Enhancement, Inc., the Pdrrland
African American Leadership Network, and Lewis & Clark
Graduate School of Education and Counseling.
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