ABOUT PLANT BASE
PLANT BASE MISSION
Our mission at Plant Base is to help people implement a happier and healthier lifestyle through plant based foods and ethical products sold in a zero waste format. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, animal and humanitarian rights, ethics and health, our main goal is to provide access to affordable and healthy food for neighborhoods in need. The fully vegan and package free store stands to set a new tone for how you shop and what you eat, while offering a variety of resources to benefit our community.
Plant Base acts as a community “base” providing professional guest speaking engagements, workshops, and cooking classes to educate people on how to easily transition into a healthier plant based-diet. Our knowledgeable team and in-house library serves to educate people on the positive impacts of a plant-based diet and the effects to your health, the environment, and animal welfare. Our non-profit community outreach program plans to help feed members of the community in need, start and maintain community gardens, organize trash cleanups in local parks and neighborhoods, and implement self-sustaining food options for schools and churches.
Plant Base offers a variety of delicious, ready-made, grab-and-go or eat-in menu items for breakfast and lunch, and a homestyle dinner menu that rotates daily. In addition to the ready-made food, Plant Base offers a wide variety of package-free organic produce, bulk items {nuts, grains, pasta, legumes, flour, vinegar, maple syrup, etc.}, in-house made body care products {body butter, deodorant, toothpaste, foot powder, soap, shampoo, conditioner, zero waste accessories, etc.}, in-house made household products {laundry detergent, dish soap, household cleaners, etc.}, pet supplies, a full apothecary {essential oils, super-foods, dry herbs & spices, tea blends, etc}, in-house made healthy beverages {kombucha and switchel on tap, fresh juices and smoothies, freshly brewed tea blends, probiotic shots, coffee and coffee substitutes}, as well as holistic gift items {essential oil infused jewelry, crystals, up-cycled accessories made from our plastic waste & recycled materials, and art made from reclaimed materials by local artists}.
Grab-and-go items and house made products will be packaged in reusable glass containers that shoppers can either choose to keep or put a one-time deposit {think a buck or two}. For other items, shoppers are encouraged to bring their own containers or bags but, of course, we have options at the store to either buy or borrow a container or bag should someone have forgotten their own. We have started a pay it forward bag and jar program that encourages folks to donate their excess reusable bags or jars (we know you’re out there!) which allows us to offer free bags/containers with donations suggested for those who can afford to help us in our efforts to feed the homeless and give back to the community. The zero-waste shopping experience raises awareness to the dangers of our “disposable” society and puts an emphasis on changing our wasteful habits.
Plant Base is much more than just a store selling products. We think of it as a second home for anyone wanting an escape to a space filled with good vibes, positive energy and the support of genuine people who want to make a difference. We welcome anyone with open arms to come join our fast growing family, and to be a part of our much needed mission. We envision this location to be the first of many. The market + its owners are looking to open locations rapidly in food desert neighborhoods {the front lines of the battle for food accessibility}, in order to get much-needed healthy food options to the community and help those residents become less dependent on unhealthy fast foods and the pharmaceutical industry. As the first zero waste establishment in NJ, and seemingly the first zero waste and fully vegan market in the U.S., we are extremely excited to be one of the forerunners of this rapidly growing earth/people/animal saving movement that’s set to make huge strides in the food industry.
Please send us an inquiry if you’re interested in volunteering, joining our team, or a franchise opportunity!
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MEET THE Crew
The Plant Base Family is forever growing and endless, and we have been blessed with such awesome humans to be a part of this journey. Head Chef Edgar Soto (pictured left) expresses his artistic talent not only in his mouth watering food creations, but also with his next level music, poetry, and vibrations. Edgar brings another dimension with his true passion and joy in creating the best tasting and nourishing food for his community. He is such an integral part of Plant Base, and we couldn’t be more proud to have Edgar leading the helm in the kitchen and beyond.
Plant Base was founded in November 2018 by Dhruva Latorre (pictured right) and Andy Hertz, 2 friends who shared a passion for animal rights, protecting the environment, health, helping people, and bold ideas to change the world. Andy was already vegan and an animal rights activist, while Dhruva was raised a vegetarian and had experience with his family’s non-profit that worked to help feed underprivileged residents in Jersey City and surrounding communities. Dhruva’s family also owned and operated one of the first vegetarian restaurants in NC, and has been involved with plant based cooking since a young age. After melding ideas, the two were headed down a road of activism, animal + humanitarian aid, and a desire to better the environment by offering plant-based, whole foods to residents living in areas that up until now had limited or no access to these options.
Co-founder, Lyla LaTorre (age 12), also has a strong passion for saving animals, the earth, and showing compassion to everyone and everything. She has been a huge help with the development of Plant Base, and her ideas are even displayed in the store! Lyla came up with the brilliant idea of putting ethical words on the background wall of our product shelving, which delivers a beautiful and eye catchy message of our core values as a business and as humans. She still actively helps behind the scenes with new ideas, product research, and inspires much of what we stand for today.
Jersey City Yoga Fest 2019