Rochester, N.Y. — Community Justice Initiative is celebrating its sixth anniversary of Feed the Village.

Since June of 2020, the activist organization has regularly offered free, healthy meals and groceries to community members in Rochester who are in need.

Organizers say the program’s core mission is to end food apartheid in black and brown communities.

“We believe in nation building, we believe that mutual aid is an important part of nation building, helping people in need, helping people out, empowering people through food because food is love,” said Diallo Payne of Community Justice Initiative.

“It has grown over the years tremendously, and as my brother said, we believe in nation building, and pulling, being united and pulling all our resources together to provide for our community,” said Niya Shabazz of Community Justice Initiative.

Feed the Village is held every other Wednesday at the Rochester Transit Center.