Food
An Oakland restaurant’s viral Instagram post last week had a ripple effect in the Bay Area: “Monster Pho will now offer children a free meal until the SNAP is funded,” it said. Several other restaurants then followed Monster Pho in offering free meals to the thousands of people who don’t have money to buy food this month because their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have stalled during the federal government shutdown. On Friday, two federal judges ordered the Trump administration…
Alameda County announced Friday that it has secured $1.5 million in emergency funding to support residents who receive SNAP benefits, which have been delayed by the federal government shutdown. “One thing I know about Alameda County, one thing I know about the town, and one thing I know about the East Bay and these electeds behind me is that we take care of our own,” U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon said at a news conference Friday that included county officials, mayors…
Saba Grocers Initiative plans to launch a community-owned food hub by March to distribute fresh local and affordable food to 50 corner stores, schools, hospitals, and food banks across Alameda County. But to fully realize its vision, Saba is asking the community to help raise $1.5 million. In September, the nonprofit received a $2 million grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Farm to Community Food Hubs program as part of a $13.8 million investment in food system infrastructure…
In Oakland, as in many parts of the country, winter brings gloomy days, chilly temperatures and the beginning of tamale season, which kicks off unofficially on Thanksgiving. In Mexico the dish is popularly served during the month of December at holiday parties known as “Las Posadas.” In homes across Oakland, steam permeates out of big stainless steel pots this time of year, converting kitchens into saunas. Dew on walls will drip around depictions of “The Last Supper” overlooking dinner tables….
Workers at the Alameda County Community Food Bank voted to unionize on Tuesday, with a majority agreeing to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 29. Sixty-nine employees participated, according to the food bank, with over 80% voting in favor, according to both the union and the food bank. Workers across a range of positions, from warehouse associates to program coordinators, are hoping that unionizing will improve equity as well as increase pay and solidarity among staff. “We…
Bands, dancers, clowns, cowboys and cool cars filled downtown Oakland Sunday afternoon for the Black Joy Parade. Wet streets and chilly weather didn’t discourage hundreds of people from enjoying music, food and a host of activities for children and adults. In its sixth year, the parade celebrates the Black experience and culture. It also promotes Oakland’s many Black-owned small businesses. All photos by Najim Rahim
In celebration of Black History Month, the Black Cultural Zone put a spotlight on love and local businesses, bringing them together in the Sooooo Chocolate Festival on Sunday at Uptown Station. “Promoting local artists is the antidote to gentrification and displacement,” said Carylon Johnson, Black Cultural Zone CEO. “Festivals like these remind people that who we are is made up of our local small businesses. And so we’ve got to embrace them and elevate them.” The rich fragrance of chocolate…
Every other day, Gary Wade walks a few blocks from his home in West Oakland to City Slickers Farms. He says hello to everyone, and hangs out with the chickens. Then he goes to the “town fridge” to grab some fresh greens. If he’s lucky, he’ll also find a home-cooked meal from the Community Kitchens’ Home Chef Volunteer Program. The meatloaf is his favorite. For Wade, 72, the donated meals are a tastier alternative to the ones he receives from…
Between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., a swarm of clerks, bosses, and jobbers crowd the intersection of Third and Franklin streets in Oakland. They stack boxes of food for pickup — ginger from China and lettuce from Texas. From the dim light emerge chefs and grocers who greet the sellers, squeeze a few avocados, and load their trucks. This ritual has occurred at the Oakland Produce Market six days a week for a hundred years. It is a spot of…