On a hot Saturday morning, earlier this year in Gawa's Puerto Rico, a city about 20 miles

south of the capital of San Juan.

Community members greet each other as they browse the fresh produce at the center de

Poyomoto, the center for mutual aid.

The large open space with high ceilings and concrete floors was once a social security

building where local residents would apply for their cards and federal benefits.

It had been abandoned for over 30 years.

Then two months after Hurricane Maria in November of 2017, community members came together

and transformed the abandoned building.

On the last Saturday of every month, the building's largest room becomes a food co-op called

the Super Solidario, the Solidarity Supermarket.

There's fresh yuca, avocado, passion fruit, ginger, turmeric, carrots, and by eliminating

distributors, they're able to buy produce directly from local farmers and sell them at

far more affordable prices than supermarkets.

A song about the food co-op composed by a local artist is playing from a speaker.

The Solidarity Supermarket, the song says, providing for the people so that food isn't scarce.

The space is maintained by donations and local volunteers of all ages, such as 8-year-old

Antonio, who came to shop with his mom and help out.

He has a big smile with front teeth that look like they recently grew in.

Antonio is in front of the dry goods section, where people are encouraged to take what they

need and pay what they can.

As Antonio takes inventory, a group of young people in their 20s walk in singing and shaking

...