St. Louis’ College Hill neighborhood will soon have a new source for sweet treats. Uhuru Food & Pies is set to open this summer at 3719 West Florissant Avenue in what used to be Kay’s Kitchen.
The Oakland, California, business has an unusual model. It’s part of Black Star Industries, the economic development subsidiary of the African People’s Socialist Party. Established in 1981, volunteers sell the pies direct to customer and at festivals and farmers markets with profits benefiting the African People’s Education and Defense Fund. The pies can also be sold in a variety of natural foods stores and, now, the West Florissant location.
“Uhuru Foods & Pies is unique,” said Bakari Olatunji, vice chair, in a statement. “It’s not just great pie and food, which it is, it’s a cause that forwards the right of African people ourselves to determine our own lives and future, control our own land, resources, food, distribution, and means of production.”