Black MajesTEA (BMT) Co-op is new but growing. BMT is a co-op led by University of Memphis students Nadia Foster, founder and executive manager, and Olivia Roman, creative director. Foster is also the founder of Black MajesTEA, LLC, a company that focuses on teas and tinctures rather than fresh produce, as BMT does.
“I’ve always wanted to help bridge the gap of health insecurities and health disparities in Memphis,” says Foster, a native Memphian and senior at the U of M who enjoys dates (the fruit). “I wanted to start BMT Co-op to help address the need for nutritious, fresh, available fruits and vegetables. My family, as well as a vast majority of Memphians, live in food deserts and don’t have access within a five-mile radius to anything fresh.”
The co-op debuted at the end of January 2022. On February 11th, they stepped up their game, doubling their output by going from every other week to every week. BMT Co-op has also partnered with The Nine at Memphis apartments, a site near the U of M where many international students live.
Before her time as a student at the U of M, Roman, who is also a senior this year and whose favorite fruit is a red apple, attended Catholic schools, and says service was a criteria for graduation. “We were very service-oriented,” Roman says. “It became a pretty large part of my life, and I have a huge respect and appreciation for people working to end food scarcity and food insecurity in Memphis. This seems like a really good opportunity to continue that effort.”
The co-op gets anywhere from four to 11 or 12 customers a week. But, Foster says, “We have been seeing a steady increase.” They have donated to the Tiger Pantry at the U of M as well. “We’ve made it work so far.”
“We consider our measure of success just being able to help one person with affordable, accessible fresh produce,” Foster says.
“A lot of hard work and love is poured into this,” Roman adds. “We are continuing to grow and are doing better every week.”
So what’s in store for Black MajesTEA Co-op after these seniors graduate? Never fear, Foster and Roman plan to keep a healthy relationship with the U of M. “We do get some of our fresh herbs from the U of M gardens,” Foster says. “After graduation we both have plans to continue working in this city and the area.”
“We’re very grateful to our Memphis community,” Roman says.
Most important for BMT Co-op, Foster says, is ensuring that the produce remains accessible to Memphians. “We want to keep it at an affordable cost, keep it accessible, and keep it healthy.”
