These restaurants cooked up a plan to cooperate, and it seems to be bearing some fruit.
South Bronx housing and economic development organization SoBro has secured a $25,000 grant from the USDA to weigh the prospects of a food co-operative composed of 30 borough restaurants hoping to share costly deliveries and warehouse space.
The mostly immigrant-owned restaurants and bakeries that formed the United Business Cooperative in 2014 have been trying to combine their purchasing power to buy fruits, vegetables and other products.
“Every year, it gets harder and harder for small-business owners,” said Ruperto Morocho who runs Delicioso on 149th St.
“We feel united and empowered for the first time and able to solve our own challenges — and most importantly, help each other’s progress.”
The businesses will also work with SoBro to develop healthier menus based on locally grown fruits, vegetables and other items.
