Bazarh Afro-Caribbean foods store in Spalding, encourages the community to try out the cuisine and come together

The passionate business owner of an Afro-Caribbean food store hopes to inspire others to try out new cuisine — and grow diversity in the town.

Sadit Rabiu, of Spalding, is keen for the community to branch out and give new foods a try — and her business has now moved to a more accessible location to help with her mission.

After working above a shop on Sheep Market, Spalding, for a year, Bazarh Afro-Caribbean Food Store has now moved downstairs due to the space becoming available.

Sadit said: “We moved to Spalding for the opportunity. Having my own business is something I have always wanted to do and moving downstairs has meant it is more convenient for customers who found it challenging to go upstairs all the time.

“I have a passion for food and business and when I was able to work from home I just thought I would give it a go. When we first started the business, I thought my target audience would be just Caribbean people, but I have English and European customers buying different things.

“The African numbers in this area are growing and I think it is definitely needed in Spalding because before we were here, I knew of people traveling to London, Boston and Peterborough for their produce.

“I am passionate about bringing people together and it is good to see diversity in the town grow – I want to see the community of Spalding come together.”

The food shop sells a variety of products such as fresh produce, a range of meat in the freezer area, big bags of poundo iyan and rice, palm oil, yellow gari, spices and much more – with customer favourites including plantain and goat meat.

Sadit is also an occupational health advisor, so her husband and sons Al-baith, 19, and Al-basit, 15, all help out with the business when she is not able to. Sadit added: “I am most proud of bringing African groups together, rather than the shop itself.

“People sometimes come here just for chat and I always love to put a smile on their faces. Lots of customers ask me how to cook the different produce in the shop, so I am going to start a weekly menu which will include recipes as well.

“I want to keep doing what I am doing and hopefully expand.”

What do you think? Are you looking forward to trying something new? Let us know your views - and recipe tips - in the comments below…