In a step towards mitigating the longstanding issue of food insecurity on Las Vegas' Historic Westside, The Obodo Collective, in partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District, opened a new greengrocer and urban farm this past Saturday, providing local residents easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, reported KTNV. The grand opening saw a sizeable turnout as the collective's efforts came to fruition after half a decade of planning, as covered in an 8NewsNow report.
Historical shifts in the neighborhood economy and struggles such as the crack cocaine epidemic significantly impacted the area's businesses and food landscape, leading to a scarcity of fresh food options as explained by Claytee White, Director of Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, in a statement obtained by KTNV. The greengrocer's strategic location, not only promises access to nutrient-rich food for nearly 720 households within its vicinity it but also commits to keeping prices affordable despite rising costs elsewhere, emphasised Cheyenne Kyle, food programs coordinator at The Obodo Collective.
Recognizing the pervasive health issues stemming from a lack of fresh produce, Tameka Henry, Executive Director of The Obodo Collective, shared with 8NewsNow the significance of the store and urban farm, noting that transportation barriers are diminished because "You can walk right across the street from your home and get fresh food." Part educational, part practical, the urban farm alongside the greengrocer allows community members to participate in planting and harvesting, contributing to a sustainable local food system.
As food insecurity rates continue to climb with 13.5% of U.S. households affected in 2023, as KTNV highlights, initiatives like this serve as a fundamental resource for communities in need, moreover, the store will accept SNAP benefits to further alleviate barriers to healthy food options for residents—as pointed out by Beverly Rodgers, a community member, who told KTNV that "It’s fresh food within walking distance, and I don’t think it gets any better than that." The combination of the urban farm and store positions The Obodo Collective as a beacon of local resilience in the fight against food deserts and provides a replicable model for community-driven solutions to systemic problems.
