Rastafarians Lead Healthy Food Movement In Crown Heights
Photo credit: NostrandPark.com
As local leader, Mark W. Griffith pointed out the Central Brooklyn could benefit from a little “food justice”. However, Crown Heights probably does not get enough credit for the healthy food options available around town. Thanks in large part to the Rastafarian culture practiced by many residents, with its focus on “ital” (meaning healthy, natural or vegetarian) living there is actually large offering of healthy food options in Crown Heights. From Wikipedia:
The primary goal of adhering to an Ital diet is to increase Livity, or the life energy that Rastas generally believe lives within all of us, as conferred from the Almighty. A common tenet of Rastafarian beliefs is the sharing of a central Livity among living things, and what is put into one’s body should enhance Livity rather than reduce it. Though there are different interpretations of ital regarding specific foods, the general principle is that food should be natural, or pure, and from the earth; Rastas therefore often avoid food which is chemically modified or contains artificial additives (e.g., color, flavorings, and preservatives). Some also avoid added salt in foods, especially salt with the artificial addition of iodine, while pure sea or kosher salt is eaten by some. In strict interpretations, foods that have been produced using chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizer are not considered ital.
Photo credit: NostrandPark.com
Some local health food shops owned/managed by Rastafarians and/or Afro-Caribbeans include:
- Imhotep – 734 Nostrand Avenue (near Park)
- Punch Line Juice Bar – 701 Nostrand Avenue (at Park)
- Ital Shak – 780 Nostrand Avenue (btwn St. Johns and Sterling)
- Ital Shak – Nostrand Avenue (near Empire) (thanks nat)
- Ital Fari - 313 Utica Avenue (btwn Union and President) (thanks again nat)
- Maroc – 741 Park Place (btwn Rogers and Bedford)
- Natural Blend – 685 Washington Avenue (near Prospect) (thanks debya)
- Nature’s Organic – 776 Nostrand Avenue (btwn St. Johns and Sterling)
- 851 St. John’s Place (btwn Nostrand and New York)
- Rawstar – 687 Washington Avenue (btwn Prospect and St. Marks)
As the song goes:
you don haffi dread to be rasta (translation: you don’t have to have dreadlocks to be a rasta)…
And fortunately you certainly don’t have to be dread to patronize these great businesses. In fact, as Tonde, the Namibian owner of Imhotep, explained to us, as the neighborhood diversifies a lot more of his patrons are “Europeans” (as he called them). And all are welcome.
Tonde also pointed out that his is the oldest operating health food store on Nostrand. In fact, sources suggest that it is the oldest in Brooklyn.
With entrepreneurs like Tonde leading the way, it is no wonder that there are so many other healthy and natural businesses that have taken root in Crown Heights – the most recent example being the Breukelen (pronounced “Brooklyn”) Coffee Shop on Franklin.
Now this is not to say that we could not use more grocery stores stock with fresh fruit, veggies and other healthy options, but fortunately our neighborhood is in a better position than similar neighborhoods (for example neighboring Bed-Stuy).
Note: So the same day that I had completed my first draft of this story, someone had published a very similar story! And here I was thinking I was being all clever. Needless to say, that’s the last time I’ll edit my piece on an unsecured Wifi network 
.
Popularity: 11% [?]
As someone who has been an on and off vegan for years, I have always loved the influence of Rastafarian culture on what foods are available in the neighborhood, both in the small produce stores and in the various restaurants.
Its interesting to think about, because the arrival of vegan foods is often a harbinger of gentrification. In Crown Heights that isn’t the case. Tofu and soy milk have been widely available in the neighborhood for longer than I’ve been around, which is getting close to eight years.
Finally, as an addition to your list, Ital Shak actually has two locations, the second is at 989 Nostrand Avenue (near Empire). Also, I am a big fan of Ital Fari which is located on Utica, a block or two south of Eastern Parkway on the east side of the street.
Don’t forget Natural Blend on Washington Avenue!
Yes, this was something I thought about writing, too! As a response to the assertion that health food in Crown Heights is somehow an invention of wealthier gentrifiers. There WERE coffee shops and health food stores and restaurants here before! Whether they meet the tastes and preferences of newer residents or not, is a separate subject.
Imhotep’s is the best! Tonde is my landlord and he’s a fantastic guy. I don’t know much about Ital living, but the food is great, especially the soup and the fake meat.