Mandela’s CSA Program: Get Fresh Produce and Support Your Local Farmers
When we think of August, warmer temperatures, family barbecues, and the final days of summer might be top of mind for many of us. For Mandela Partners, August is also known as the official month we launched our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in partnership with our in-house food hub--Mandela Produce Distribution. This month, we received a generous donation from Whole Foods Market to support our CSA program. We are excited to partner with Whole Foods to uplift our network of sustainable growers and increase access to fresh produce in our local community.
What is a CSA? A program that allows consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer through a membership or subscription service.
What’s different about Mandela’s CSA Program? We prioritize small family farmers that grow sustainably and are located within a 150 mile radius of our food hub in the heart of West Oakland. Our CSA boxes offer healthy fruits and vegetables to all community residents, regardless of income. A 50% discount is also available for SNAP/CalFresh recipients.
How do I sign up? You can order directly from Mandela Produce Distribution’s Square App and select from a variety of produce box options.
We are proud of the fact that we are able to launch this program to support our network of local and regional growers, especially during these challenging times. To learn more about the CSA program and the farmers we work with:
follow the link below:
Affordable Family Meals at Your Doorstep
Oak Harvest Kitchen--a restaurant and kitchen incubator in downtown Oakland-- combines healthy eating and job opportunities for community members seeking second chance employment. Acquired by Mandela Partners in 2018, Oak Harvest’s menu features local, sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.
But that’s not all. Oak Harvest is now offering its family meal service by popular demand! Customers have the option to purchase a two-person or four-person meal from Oak Harvest’s rotating and seasonal weekly menu.
Delivery and takeout options are available.
Introducing Gabe and Silvia, our newest team members!
Gabe Santos, Client Services and Administrative Associate, Mandela Produce Distribution - A native of Queens New York, Gabe spent most of his summers as a child running around his grandmothers farm in the Dominican Republic, connecting with farm fresh produce and "the village mentality" at an early age. After spending many years working in hospitality, Gabe is excited to bring together his passions for food and people. He understands the importance of food accessibility, and is grateful to be supporting food distribution networks that will directly support his community. Closing in on a decade in the Bay Area, he's proud to call this place home. Outside of work you'll find Gabe exploring on his bike or working on creative projects.
Silvia Guzman, Community Outreach Associate - Silvia lives, works, and plays in East Oakland and is a parent of 3 children. For the past 7 years, she has worked on a wide range of community projects relating to wellness and health, supporting healthy retail projects in the Castlemount community as an East Oakland Innovator, as a community outreach worker with the Building Blocks For Equity Unit, and as a certified First Aid for Youth Mental Health instructor with the Alameda County Public Health Department's Maternal, Paternal, Child, and Adolescent Health division. More recently, Silvia served as a Healthy Food & Healthy Housing Champion with La Clínica de la Raza and is an interpreter with Faith In Action East Bay organization, promoting civic engagement and resident leadership. Before officially joining Mandela Partners, Silvia organized and trained other parent leaders who supported Mandela Partners' Community Produce Stand program at OUSD elementary schools. In her new role, Silvia will be supporting outreach and community engagement for our recently launched Community Supported Agriculture service.
