Goodr, the do-good initiative that offers free groceries to families in need, recently opened its grocery store in Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta.
The official name of the store is Goodr Be On Edgewood and it represents years of partnerships delivering real benefits for Sweet Auburn residents. Its opening provides 200 families with free groceries monthly for a year.
Goodr Be On Edgewood Opens in Atlanta
The store is the hard work and brainchild ofJasmine Crowe-Houston, an award-winning entrepreneur, TED Speaker, and entrepreneur who has worked for years with Atlanta food businesses to come up with sustainable ways to dispose of their items.
“It’s really about helping a lot more families,” Crowe-Houston said in a recent interview.
Goodr opened a new community grocery store on Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn District, the first of its kind, aimed at tackling food insecurity in the predominantly minority neighborhood.
The Goodr Community Market, along with Little Loaf Deli, offers affordable fresh food, including $5 deli meals and 2-for-1 deals for SNAP users.
Goodr: What’s in Store?
Inside Goodr, you can find an array of fresh fruits and vegetables (a cursory look indicates that the prices are cheaper than what you’ll find at Walmart, Kroger and Target).
There’s also the customary pantry items for sale. You’ll see a lot of the same things you’ll see in any other grocery store, so put Goodr on your list.
Goodr: A History
Crowe-Houston’s vision continues to drive Goodr’s expansion, with plans for further innovation and new markets while maintaining its commitment to Atlanta’s communities.
Since its founding, Goodr has grown from a local Atlanta initiative to a national organization, operating in 15 states, diverting over 28.6 million pounds of food, serving 32 million meals, and opening more than two dozen free grocery stores. The company remains headquartered in Atlanta, with backing from local investors like Collab Capital and Atlanta Technology Angels, and partnerships with Amazon, Mailchimp, and MARTA.
The organization began as a response to Crowe-Houston’s efforts to feed people experiencing homelessness, initially preparing meals out of her own kitchen starting in 2013.
After a video of one of her pop-up restaurants under a bridge near Grady Memorial Hospital went viral in 2016, she recognized the potential to scale her impact by redirecting surplus food from businesses to those in need, leading to the creation of Goodr.
In 2019, Goodr expanded its services to include organic waste recycling, composting nonedible food scraps or redirecting them to animal feed and fertilizer production. The company also began launching free grocery stores to provide dignified access to food.
In 2021, Goodr partnered with hip-hop artist Gunna to open its first free grocery store at an Atlanta middle school, targeting students and families. By 2022, Goodr had established a free grocery store at Lutheran Towers, a senior living community in Midtown Atlanta, offering fresh produce and household goods to residents.
In 2023, Goodr launched its Mobile Grocery Store, a 26-foot truck stocked with free groceries to serve underserved communities, expanding its pop-up grocery model.
In 2024, Goodr opened a grocery store at the William Walker Recreation Center in Southwest Atlanta, a food desert, in partnership with Mayor Andre Dickens and the city, serving 100 families and seniors monthly.
Where Is Goodr Be On Edgewood Located?
The Goodr grocery store is located at 381 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
Atlanta’s food scene has been characterized by one too many food deserts, especially on its south side. The communities have had to step up. Enter these black-owned grocery stores in Atlanta.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.
Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta
More Food Coverage from AtlantaFi.com:
