Baruch Graduate’s Food Co-op Helps South Bronx Community

ZENA Nelson, an MBA graduate of Baruch College, founded the South Bronx Food Co-op with the first place prize money from the 2007 Baruch College and Merrill Lynch Entrepreneurship Competition. The Co-op’s mission is to provide affordable and nutritious food while empowering the local community by encouraging good health, providing relevant job skills and fostering environmentally responsible activities through democratic cooperation.  The Co-op currently occupies a 1,400 sq. ft. space and has 150 members. With support including a $50,000 commitment from CITGO, Nelson’s goal of expanding the Co-op to a 16,000 sq. ft. operation is within range.  Zena Nelson, an MBA graduate of Baruch College, founded the South Bronx Food Co-op with the first place prize money from the 2007 Baruch College and Merrill Lynch Entrepreneurship Competition.  The Co-op’s mission is to provide affordable and nutritious food while empowering the local community by encouraging good health, providing relevant job skills and fostering environmentally responsible activities through democratic cooperation.  The Co-op currently occupies a 1,400 sq. ft. space and has 150 members. With support including a $50,000 commitment from CITGO, Nelson’s goal of expanding the Co-op to a 16,000 sq. ft. operation is within range.