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Backyard is born out of our love of food, friends and the community that raised us. Growing up in the Bay has given us so much access to diversity, culture, civic engagement and creativity. We want to show our appreciation by raising funds for people and organizations that make all that possible while doing what we do best - communing over delicious food with fam and friends, old and new.
This time we're supporting Mandela Partners' Ashland Market & Cafe project, a food & market hall and community space which: supports local entrepreneurs (especially women, immigrants, and people of color); increases access to healthy food options; and builds wealth in East Bay communities. Read on for more info!
THE BACKGROUND:
In 2017, we decided to turn our casual weekly potlucks into something a little bigger and more intentional. We began a series of seasonal dinner parties in our yard for friends, family, neighbors, and strangers to fundraise for local nonprofits doing important work in the community. We choose an organization whose work we admire for its efforts to create sustainable movements and a more equitable society in the changing East Bay. One important goal for these events is to offer people a chance to learn about and feel inspired by critical work happening in their own neighborhoods, to engage in conversations about those issues in a more intimate setting, and to feel hope during a difficult political time.
THE ORGANIZATION:
For our 5th Backyard function we are so excited to be partnering with Mandela Partners, the community-based nonprofit that works to increase access to healthy foods. Mandela successfully supported the launch of five local food enterprises, including Mandela Grocery Cooperative (right here by West Oakland BART!) and a program to get more produce into corner and liquor stores in the area. At this Backyard event, we'll be supporting Mandela's Ashland Market & Cafe.
The Ashland Market, is part of a growing effort to support local entrepreneurship, increase access to healthy food options, and build wealth in unincorporated Alameda County. Mandela Partners spent several years surveying the community to see what people most wanted to see in their neighborhood. They recently launched the result, a big community market that will provide space for local entrepreneurs --especially women, immigrants, and people of color-- to launch their food businesses. The space also hosts events like free legal advice clinics and healthy living workshops. Ashland Market vendors take part in Mandela Partners' business advising program, receive culinary & kitchen consulting, and gain access to low-cost capital. The Market serves as an incubator, so eventually the current vendors will move on to their own spaces and the new vendors Mandela Partners has been helping prepare can move in.
The inaugural vendor class of the Ashland Market & Cafe is up and running:
~ The I AM Cafe - soups, salad, sandwiches, and rotating weekly specials
~ Thank Que Grill - filipino bbq
~ Jacquelynns Heart & Soul - heart-healthy soul food
~ AndreaMarie Cakes - sweet treats and smoothies
Here's the link to the Ashland Market & Cafe website: http://ashlandmarket.org/
Mandela Partners: https://www.mandelapartners.org/
Mandela Coop: https://www.mandelagrocery.coop/
THE EVENT DETAILS:
WHEN: Sunday, June 2nd
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WHERE: West Oakland, close to BART. Address upon purchase.
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PRICE: $40
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MINGLE: Join us at 3 PM for music, drinks, snacks.
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EAT: At 4:30 PM, we'll serve a seasonal family-style meal cheffed up by Chez Panisse cooks.
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MORE: Members from Mandela Partners will be there to share info, answer questions and hang out. We are so happy that the inaugural Ashland Market food vendors will also be joining us to share their experience launching their businesses.
There will also be special demos and activities, including a super sweet raffle!
If you can't attend, we'll miss you, but you can still donate. If you can attend but are feeling extra generous, you can donate on top of your ticket!
Tickets have sold out every time even as we've expanded, so get 'em while they're hot! Over 75 people came out last time to get down, and we're so appreciative of your support. The earlier you buy tickets and secure a spot, the better we're able to make sure we have more enough food, fun and space to accommodate everyone.
We feel lucky to be able to partner with amazing local organizations doing such important and ambitious work -- and to have all of y'all to share in the cause with! Thank you for your support and can't wait to see everyone there!
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LocationAddress Provided with Purchase
Lower Bottoms
Oakland, CA 94607
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: Yes! |
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