Food Deserts, The Business of Food, & How to Start a Grocery Store

For episode 199, we covered some very important topics! We sat down with AJ Johnson founder and CEO of Oasis Fresh Markets Grocery Stores. Oasis is a grocery store chain located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

We covered food deserts, the business of grocery stores, government grants, food co-ops, the farming industry, nutrition, government food programs, managing employees, and much more! #fooddessert #grocerystore #tulsa

[soulsisterq]

I would like to connect. I am Nicole owner and chef of Soul Sister Cuisine in Brooklyn, NY. My brothers and I own 100 acres and a brick house that was passed down generational wealth from my grandparents. My daughter was a employee starting at 19 as a crew and worked her way to A six figure Captain’s position at 27 years old. She knows grocery. I know business we own land. I want to build communities ❤️

[lesuelbrown]

This brotha deserves to be recognized nationally, even globally! Such an inspiration.

[martellbyrd]

Love what I am hearing, I am black business owner, CEO of Family Bonds Logistic LLC. And I have a private networking of black carriers (truck driver’s) would love to discuss business with the brother representing OASIS

[TheDistrict]

This was a very good interview. I salute AJ for doing this and stepping out on faith. Health disparities is a REAL thing and food deserts are one of the main driving forces of this will always support this brother and hope to see Oasis all over the country one day!

[cleopatra]

I love these young brothers who are changing everything for our people in so many different ways. May you continue with your quest to bring in visionaries who are doing great things to enlighten and educate our people. A change gonna come!!

[MindRegulatorMusic]

I thank God for you two brothers at EYL and for your sphere of influence. Thank you for giving us what so many of us have wanted all our lives -- exposure and guidance. May you continue to be blessed and to prosper.

[soulpurposefarms]

Great conversation! Great topics were covered in this interview. Also, the term “Food Desert” is being replaced with the term “Food Apartheid”. We loved to volunteer or intern to help develop EYL Farms, with a focus on culturally responsive teaching/evaluation strategies. Think about how many K-12 school systems do not have an agricultural curriculum?! Questions and conversations about why and how Black agriculture educators are less than 1%! Changing the minds about how agriculture is involved in every aspect of your life. Example: Coca-Cola is a food and beverage enterprise (Agribusiness/Ag-Economics). We need to encourage Black people to get into each sector of the agriculture industry, this will require formal and informal education.

[liqquasippa]

EYL Foods would be a great concept. Y'all can highlight black farmers, black homesteaders, black food and nutrition specialists, the sky is the limit.

[virtualadministrativeresou]

AJ you may not consider Oasis to be a 'church' but you ARE the church!! Love it!! 🙂

[aroucagirl]

His energy is amazing. Jumped in late but OMG. I got to get my plans activated.

[gon]

Thought this pod was going mainstream appreciate the endless gems and positivity for the culture

[MastherLynn]

My current goal is to provide grocery stores to my local community! This was definitely inspiring!

[paigem.]

So proud of AJ and all those that made Oasis an reality, it’s NEEDED and NECESSARY. I can’t wait to see it expand all over the country!!!

[corybaby]

I had too run this Episode Back, Love it Mane

[DeanOkaiSenior]

AJ is a clean spirited super hero visionary leader. What he alerted my problem solving brain to is he should connect with the national Black Farmers Association to make a direct supply relationship.

The not for profit aspect of food deserts is a great way to connect the farmers with commerce and stores with food. It could be an opportunity to scale franchise opportunities with similar values delivery partner that lock in farming, processing, distribution and retail.

This was an important show guys, very powerful. Thank you AJ

[starmaddy]

I am going to be apart of this! Urban Farmer!!!

[ndheaden]

Love everything that he said, but he asked why BET didn't have a food co-op. BET is NOT BLACK OWNED, JUST BLACK TARGETED. Been thy way every since Bob Johnson sold it to Viacom.

[nurahfosu]

I created this same concept and folks clowned me. This show inspired me to keep going.

[jamilahsweet]

Let’s not forget about the MOVE organization in Philadelphia in May 13, 1985 was bombed by the city. 61 homes were destroyed and men, women, and children were killed.

[Sleepzz]

Being from the eastside of Buffalo, NY I’m glad these conversations are being had