Phi Beta Sigma Invites Community to Support Black Owned Health Food Store in North Lawndale
CHICAGO— On July 12, New Life Health Foods (NLHF) and the Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. invited local residents to support the oldest Black owned health food store on the West Side of Chicago, New Life Health Foods. The Sigmas recognized the store as part of the organization’s national “Bigger and Better Business” initiative.
The event took place in front of NLHF located at 3141 W. Roosevelt Rd. The event then lasted from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. and included music, herbs, immune boosting supplements, black seed oil, alkaline waters and more. There were also representatives from the National Pan-Hellenic Council Chicago and Cook County Census 2020 on the premises to register event participants to vote and fill out forms related to the 2020 U.S. Census. Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL - 7) also made an appearance to support the event.
Plaque awarded to Raymond Barney at the event from the Sigmas.Bigger and Better Business became the first national program of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in December 1924.
Outside of the event, some of the health products
The table for voting and getting counted in census 2020
A community member showing support. Photo by Ranita Barney
Founded in 1994 by Willie Barney, New Life Health Foods has made it their job to provide affordable and healthy alternatives to the people on the West Side. The store is now under ownership of Raymond Barney (son of the late Willie Barney); who is also a member of the Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
“The Sigma chapter is trying to pick days where they highlight certain Black businesses around Chicago and they want people to come support and learn more about the business. This comes from a month-long event scheduled around helping and highlighting Black businesses (Bigger and Better Initiatives),” Ranita Barney, daughter of Raymond Barney, explained.
“It was a great day to celebrate my family’s business along with the Upsilon Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. My dad’s fraternity brothers recognized New Life Health Foods (NLHF) as being the only Black-owned health food store on the West Side (North Lawndale) community,” Rai Barney-Porter, daughter of Raymond Barney (owner of NLHF) said.
“I enjoyed the event. It was nice to see people come out and see the black community care about both supporting black businesses and care about their health.The event was successful,” Ranita Barney added.
New Life Health Foods is open six days a week. It opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
For more information about NLHF click the link for the website below: Link