Arabbers of Baltimore
This project follows two arabbers, Shauna Chaney and Todd “Gready” Cornish who are part of the Carlton Street Stable in West Hollins, Baltimore. According to the Baltimore National Heritage Area, this stable is the oldest continually used stable in the city being built in 1899.
The term arabber has been around since shortly after the Civil War. It derives from the slang term, “street Arab,” in reference to homeless people who wandered the streets. The slang was then given to many African-Americans, who had access to horses and took to the streets selling produce. The arabbers are known for their bright colored wagons, ringing bells on horses, and an array of fruits and vegetables. As they walk through the city, people can flag them down and buy what they want right there. Some of the arabbers have said they can shuck oysters and cut watermelon for folk.
During the pandemic, Chaney and Cornish bringing donated fresh produce and bread through West Baltimore on a weekly basis. The produce is donated from Food Rescue Baltimore, a non-profit focused on preventing food waste. Each week, H&S Bakery donate 1,000 loaves of bread for the arabbers to give out.
For many Baltimoreans, food insecurity is a daily part of their lives, especially African-Americans. A study done by the Baltimore City Health Department found that 34% of African-American residents live in a food desert, 10% higher than the city average of one in four residents. Hollins Market, where the stable is located, only has six corner stores and one convenience store in its neighborhood. Nationally, Tulane University study found that, only 2% of Americans live in a food desert, compared to the Baltimore’s average of 25%.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to raise unemployment and shutter businesses, many people are struggling to pay for groceries, rent, and other expenses. According to the Urban Institute’s Health Reform Monitoring Survey, 1 in 5 Americans are now facing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreThe term arabber has been around since shortly after the Civil War. It derives from the slang term, “street Arab,” in reference to homeless people who wandered the streets. The slang was then given to many African-Americans, who had access to horses and took to the streets selling produce. The arabbers are known for their bright colored wagons, ringing bells on horses, and an array of fruits and vegetables. As they walk through the city, people can flag them down and buy what they want right there. Some of the arabbers have said they can shuck oysters and cut watermelon for folk.
During the pandemic, Chaney and Cornish bringing donated fresh produce and bread through West Baltimore on a weekly basis. The produce is donated from Food Rescue Baltimore, a non-profit focused on preventing food waste. Each week, H&S Bakery donate 1,000 loaves of bread for the arabbers to give out.
For many Baltimoreans, food insecurity is a daily part of their lives, especially African-Americans. A study done by the Baltimore City Health Department found that 34% of African-American residents live in a food desert, 10% higher than the city average of one in four residents. Hollins Market, where the stable is located, only has six corner stores and one convenience store in its neighborhood. Nationally, Tulane University study found that, only 2% of Americans live in a food desert, compared to the Baltimore’s average of 25%.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to raise unemployment and shutter businesses, many people are struggling to pay for groceries, rent, and other expenses. According to the Urban Institute’s Health Reform Monitoring Survey, 1 in 5 Americans are now facing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
