by Melissa Reiss, Purchasing Assistant
As you may know, last year we launched our Inclusive Trade program. An Inclusive Trade vendor is owned and operated by persons who are women, Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, and/or veterans. We have begun highlighting these products in-store. Just look on the shelf tag for the orange circle with the letter “i” inside (see at the right).
About 3% of American businesses are Black-owned, according to the Pew Research Center. August is National Black Business Month, which highlights and appreciates the contributions of Black-owned businesses to the U.S. economy and in promoting diversity and equity. Here are some brands that are Black- and/or African American-owned at your Co-op.
Mina
Though Mina began crafting her harissa sauce in the 1950s, it was honed in Paris and then New York City before arriving in grocery stores in the 2010s. The brand is named after its founder and is now run jointly with her son, who has a background in business and marketing. Every product is truly authentic, developed by Moroccan-born Mina, and made with all-natural ingredients with the goal of making Moroccan food easy and user-friendly.
Here’s what they have to say about their signature sauce, Spicy Harissa: “Harissa has been hailed as the heart and soul of Moroccan cuisine. Our version of the traditional Moroccan red pepper sauce is perfect for anyone who loves a kick of heat. Made from just six simple ingredients (red chile pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, and salt), our vibrant Spicy Harissa transforms anything from eggs, pastas, and sandwiches to meats and seafood. Try our versatile harissa as a sauce, dip, or spread and you’ll soon see why it is an essential in Moroccan kitchens.”
See a recipe using Mina harissa below!
Yolélé
Yolélé Foods was founded by Senegalese chef, restaurateur, and activist Pierre Thiam and food entrepreneur Philip Teverow. Yolélé's mission is to connect small farmers in Africa with global markets for their crops by introducing the West African grain fonio to North American tables. Fonio is a versatile grain that works for both sweet and savory applications—it’s perfect for cooking, baking, and just about anything. At the Co-op, you’ll find their pilafs—ready in five minutes, perfect for the main course or a side. Selection varies by store.
JUST Water
You may have heard of JUST Water’s founder before—he is rapper/actor Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith). When learning to surf when he was ten years old, he saw a plastic bottle floating next to him in the water. Unable to shake the image of plastic polluting the Pacific, he decided to do something. So what’s this container made from? Eighty-eight percent of the materials start out as plants—trees for the paper, and sugarcane for the cap and shoulder. The carton creates up to 74% less carbon emissions than similarly-sized plastic bottles. Inside is mountain-sourced spring water, which is rich in minerals and naturally alkaline.
Me and the Bees
Another product you’ll find in the beverage cooler was also hatched by a child. When she was four, founder Mikaila Ulmer was stung by a bee twice in a week. Her subsequent fear led to her learning about them, and eventually selling lemonade at a stand in front of her house using her grandmother’s recipe, which includes flaxseed and is sweetened with honey. She grew her business and since then, she’s found success on the TV show Shark Tank, met former president Barack Obama, and has been named one of Time magazine’s 30 Most Influential Teenagers. From the very start, Mikaila invested a portion of the profits from the sale of her lemonade to organizationsfighting hard to save the bees through her Health Hive Foundation.
Alaffia
Alaffia creates skin, body, and hair care essentials with Fair Trade, cruelty-free ingredients handcrafted at women-led co-ops in West Africa.
Moroccan Kefta Kabob recipe
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef or lamb
1 medium onion, finely chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons Mina harissa
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
¼ cup Greek yogurt or tahini
¼ cup Mina harissa
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
Ripe tomatoes, trimmed and cut into wedges
Mina Purple Beldi olives, whole
Fresh parsley, chopped
Mina extra-virgin olive oil
Lemon juice, to taste
Salt and pepper
Preparation
Step 1
Combine meat, onion, herbs, harissa, spices, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Using a fork or your hands, thoroughly mix ingredients together. Gently shape mixture into small oval-shaped patties or mold around skewers.
Step 2
Grill on medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, but still juicy, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
Step 3
Meanwhile, prepare the dipping sauce. Mix Greek yogurt or tahini and harissa in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Make the salad: combine tomatoes, onion, olives, and parsley in a medium bowl. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
Step 5
Serve patties or kebabs with tomato salad (or salad of your choice) and warm pita. Enjoy!