The police killing of George Floyd has led to demonstrations against police violence that have spread from Minneapolis to around the country over the last seven days. In support of the protests, people have been pouring money into bail funds in Minneapolis and other cities as well as local chapters of Black Lives Matter and organizations like Reclaim the Block in Minneapolis. Some restaurant owners and chefs in New York have pledged to support these organizations by donating proceeds — a meaningful act of solidarity when they, too, are barely hanging on.
These protests have happened amid the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic (and could cause a second wave), which has already been killing black Americans at twice the rate of other Americans. Black-owned businesses are struggling to stay open, while not getting access to government relief, and the number of working black business owners has fallen 40 percent — the most of any group. Yesterday, the New York Times reported that less than half of black adults now have a job. Millions have already found ways to support and help. Below is a list of businesses, farms, and organizations that represent the values of the best parts of the food world and which could use your support now, next week, and well into the future.
Food Organizations
Detroit Black Community Food Security Network
Addressing food insecurity in Detroit’s black community through urban agriculture and self-reliance.
Black Urban Growers
Founded by activist and farmer Karen Washington, it hosts a national conference and works to build support for food growers and leadership in food justice and sovereignty.
The Okra Project
A New York City collective that feeds black trans people free, home-cooked meals.
Soul Fire Farm
A BIPOC-centered community farm in upstate New York fighting racism and injustice in our food system.
Drinking Gourd Farms
Bulding a network of black gardeners and farmers in Phoenix, Arizona.
SAAFON
A Georgia group supporting black farmers.
The Food Industry
More complete lists of black-owned restaurants in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Baobab is a directory to black-owned businesses in the Bay Area, and Black-Owned Brooklyn is a guide to its namesake borough. Here are a few businesses that have been donating to organizations or accepting donations to feed hospital workers.
Ode to Babel
Crown Heights bar donating some sales to the Minnesota Freedom Fund.
Sylvia’s
With the National Action Network and Care Org, it has hosted Sylvia’s Sunday Supper Pantry meal distributions.
Safari
Somali restaurant feeding Harlem hospital workers.
Teranga
West African restaurant feeding hospital workers.
More Businesses
The Twitter user RetiredLineCook started a thread about businesses that aren’t making it onto lists. Her own business is Cheffing While Black, which sells sauces and seasonings.
More
Black Visions Collective
A black-, trans-, and queer-led organization fighting for black liberation.
David McAtee Family Fund
A fund to support the family of David McAtee, who owned YaYa’s BBQ and was killed by Louisville police during a protest. His mother and nephew say that he was known to give people, including law enforcement, free meals.
Floyd Family Fund
A fundraiser to support the family of George Floyd.
Reclaim the Block
A Minneapolis coalition focused on divesting from police and investing in alternatives.
Black Trans Futures Fund
A fund to support black intersex, nonbinary, trans, and gender-nonconforming people during the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 Relief for Southern Communities
A fund to help black women and girls in the Deep South during the coronavirus pandemic.
