Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Discussions are heating up in the Fifeville neighborhood over a proposed Good Foods Grocery store on Cherry Avenue. At last week’s Fifeville Neighborhood Association meeting, City Manager Sam Sanders and Dr. J. Tyler Hart, president and CEO of Commonwealth Autism and Good Foods Grocery, joined residents to explore the potential development. 

Dr. Hart emphasized the dual mission of Good Foods Grocery: delivering high-quality groceries and creating opportunities for autistic adults through sustainable employment programs. ” We launched a training program for autistic adults in January, and now we will graduate our third class on Friday. Almost 25 students have gone through that program. About 60% of those students are currently working outside of the program.”  

Good Foods Grocery, which has operated in Richmond since 1985, was acquired by Commonwealth Autism in 2022 to fund its initiatives. Dr. Hart explained how the store’s mission could align with Fifeville’s needs. “We are still in the place of trying to explore if the neighborhood would welcome a store like ours… it really is a community market.” He also pointed out that every dollar spent at Good Foods supports programs that empower autistic adults, adding, “You shop at Good Foods, you’re going to feel better because you’re doing good.” 

As talks progress, both parties are hopeful about a fruitful partnership that benefits the Fifeville community and Commonwealth Autism’s mission. 

Listen here for the full conversation: