Plant Base, a nonprofit, vegan, zero waste community café, is partnering with Chilis on Wheels and Vegan Activist Alliance to bring the first vegan Community Fridge in the state of New Jersey to Bergen/Lafayette in Jersey City. Available at no cost, all fresh produce and vegan grocery items that are factory sealed and not expired are welcome for donation.

Additionally, Plant Base recently introduced Plant Space, their new community project designed to fight the broken food system within their own neighborhood. The goal is to offer an affordable vegan food supply to residents as well as educate them about the benefits of being plant-based. Products include grab-and-go or eat-in meals (changing daily), package-free produce, bulk food items, in-house-made body care and household products, pet supplies, and holistic healing items. Shoppers have the option to borrow a reusable container from Plant Base or bring their own. With the addition of Plant Space, the market will now be completely donation-based in order to give everyone access to fresh and healthy food.

Some features of the new Plant Space include serving as an indoor/outdoor space for the community; free educational and holistic services; local gallery for artists; community garden with free locally grown herbs and veggies; free holistic health and wellness library; free and by-donation classes focusing on nutrition, cooking, yoga, meditation, sustainability, gardening, composting, dance, self-defense, art, music and more, including inspirational and educational guest speakers, drum circles and live music.

Plant Base was founded in November 2018 by Dhruva LaTorre and Andy Hertz, two friends who shared a passion for animal rights, protecting the environment, health, helping people, and bold ideas to change the world. Hertz was already vegan and an animal rights activist, while LaTorre was raised a vegetarian and had experience with his family’s nonprofit that helped feed underprivileged residents in Jersey City and surrounding communities.

Location: 370 Pacific Ave., Jersey City. To learn more, call 551-256-3868, email [email protected] and/or visit PlantBaseMarket.com.