But the Mandela Farmers Market in West Oakland, which celebrates its one-year anniversary today, isn't seeking fame -- just a steady stream of local customers looking for seasonably fresh, affordable foods grown by small, multi-ethnic farmers.

The market offers an array of organic fruits and vegetables grown in local gardens and by African-American and other ethnic farmers throughout California. Customers can munch on prepared ethnic foods, enjoy fresh-squeezed lemonade and purchase local crafts.

The produce is affordably priced, and the selection is sure to entice the pickiest gourmand: five varieties of greens, sweet potatoes, peppers, zucchini, strawberries, black-eyed peas, the list goes on.

The certified market is the anchor of the West Oakland Food Project, a collaborative of food-based nonprofits that includes multi-ethnic farmers and gardeners committed to making sure low-income residents have access to healthy food.

"One of my students at Merritt College just did a survey of 90 farmers markets in the Bay Area, and ours is the most affordable," said Dana Harvey of the Environmental Science Institute.

"Only the Alemany market (in San Francisco) rivaled ours.

The West Oakland market is smaller, more intimate than others. It is modeled after a program started by David Roach, who through his Mo' Better Food Markets has been supporting African-American farmers by bringing their fresh produce to West Oakland and educating inner-city residents about the importance of fresh foods in their diets.

West Oakland has only one supermarket to serve more than 25,000 residents, and one-quarter of those residents seek emergency food relief on a regular basis. The market honors Food Stamp EBT cards and WIC vouchers, and pre-ordered selections can be delivered to homes, work and schools.

The market has moved a half-block from the BART parking lot at Seventh Street and Mandela Parkway, into the street at Fifth Street and Mandela Parkway. Today shoppers will be treated to music by the Full Belly Blues Band and local hip-hop artist "Redemption," and dance by Ethnic Arts Institute.

The market runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A free market shuttle will operate from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on a loop from the market through West Oakland, making some 18 stops at senior centers, McClymonds High School, the West Oakland Health Clinic, Lafayette Elementary School, Acorn and the Linden Street Garden, among other locations. Look for Mandela Market signs posted throughout the community for times and locations.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email

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