Woman Turns LA District into Vegan Oasis with SÜPRMARKT Grocery Store
January 3, 2025 | 2 min to read
Imani Cohen believes that the food on her plate should reflect the vibrant life she aspires to and prioritizes colorful, wholesome ingredients from the farmers market. She sees food as a form of self-love and empowerment, mirroring her connection with herself. Inspired by her own upbringing in South Central Los Angeles, where fresh produce was scarce, her friend Olympia Auset launched SÜPRMARKT, the first vegan grocery store in the area, set to open in July 2024.
Imani Cohen believes the food on her plate should be as vibrant as the life she wants to manifest. Her trips to the farmers market each Saturday reflect this, where she searches for bright greens, purples, and oranges, steering away from dull or starchy dishes. This weekly ritual not only nourishes her family but also aligns with her vision for holistic health and energy.
“My relationship with food has expanded as my relationship with self,” Cohen shared. “It is a reflection of my self love. Food is one of the ways we can spiritually and emotionally empower ourselves and gain control over our lives and autonomy.”
Cohen’s upbringing in South Central Los Angeles meant that farm-to-table eating wasn’t part of her experience. Many of the fresh vegetables her mother loved to cook with weren’t easily found nearby. This lack of access is what inspired her friend Olympia Auset to launch SÜPRMARKT in 2020. What started as a pop-up in front of KAOS, an art and education space in Leimert Park, has grown into the first vegan grocery store in South Central Los Angeles, opening its doors in July 2024.
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