Executive Summary

Founded in 2004 in West Oakland, CA, Mandela Partners was established to fill a gap created by longstanding inequities: a challenging local food environment, a legacy of redlining and economic disinvestment, and limited opportunities for quality jobs, small business support, and long-term wealth building.

In response to these challenges, we use an innovative whole-person, whole-community approach that uses food as a tool for Black and Brown communities to build their own wealth, well-being, and opportunities.

Our programs include: produce distribution programs that bring fresh fruits and vegetables from small farms owned by people of color to Oakland and surrounding food-insecure communities; culinary training for community members facing barriers to employment, with a focus on those returning home after incarceration; workshops, mentorship, and resources for small food business owners and entrepreneurs; and culturally-relevant wellness education that goes beyond nutritional health and supports physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Over the past 20 years, we have distributed nearly 2.5 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, generated over $10 million in local economic returns, partnered with dozens of fellow community organizations, and worked with tens of thousands of community members to improve their health and wellness, economic stability, or both.

We envision a time when our communities have access to all they need and more – food and economic stability; jobs and business opportunities that build long-term family and community wealth; and economic investment that centers and listens to legacy residents and allows those who have been here to stay here.

Organizations may provide budget and employee data based on this proposal or the organization as a whole. For more information on this proposal or organization, please email us.