Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Valerie-Joy Santos, and Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Leila Edmonds joined residents of Ward 8 for the ribbon cutting of the new Yes! Organic Market located at 2323 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

The first organic grocery store to open East of the Anacostia River, Yes! Organic Market is committed to making fresh produce and healthy food affordable to the diverse demographic of families in the surrounding neighborhoods. The store is accepting supplemental nutrition assistance benefits (SNAP) and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program vouchers.

“We are thrilled to open this brand new grocery store in Ward 8,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “Residents in Ward 8 have not been able to buy fresh, nutritious food at an affordable price in their neighborhoods. This store changes that. We are looking forward to additional projects that continue to build healthier and stronger neighborhoods in the District.”

The Yes! Organic Market is nestled in a new building with 118 rental units of affordable housing that opened in June. The units are slated for residents who earn 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less. The building, also known as the Grays on Pennsylvania, is owned by Chapman Development, headed by Timothy Chapman. Mr. Chapman and Yes! Organic Market owner Gary Cha have entered into an agreement to pursue five additional projects to develop multi-use buildings with affordable multi-family housing and a Yes! Organic Market in underserved areas within the District.

The DMPED awarded Yes! Organic Market with a $900,000 Great Streets grant. The project also received support from the District’s Supermarket Tax Credit program. The store created a total of 30 jobs; 25 of which are filled by District residents. All but one of the residents reside in either ward 7 or 8; the remaining resident lives in ward 5.

Media Contacts

• Jennifer Nguyen - (202) 340-8420