For Immediate Release
Contact: Nathan Cheng, Mandela Foods Cooperative, 510-433-0993 ext.2

On June 6, 2009, MANDELA FOODS COOPERATIVE (MFC) will celebrate the grand opening of its new grocery store and nutrition education center in West Oakland, a community with a longstanding need for a grocery store and access to fresh foods. Mandela Foods is community owned by 8 local residents, spanning ages from 18 to 55. The store will offer well-stocked shelves of local goods, wholesome, fresh and affordable foods grown on family farms, and friendly, helpful customer service. Mandela Foods will also provide West Oakland residents with nutrition education classes, a cooperative economic investment program for community residents, and an affordable alternative to fast food restaurants and convenience stores.

"This is an exciting moment. Mandela MarketPlace is pleased to launch its first incubation business, and see this as a springboard to incubate and support more community-based business opportunities," said Dana Harvey, Executive Director of Mandela MarketPlace, the non-profit that has provided the worker-owners with technical assistance and seed funding to start the store. "The store is a testament to the strength, talent and tenacity of the worker owners. It demonstrates what a dedicated group of residents can accomplish in partnership with their public agencies and the support of the non-profit foundation community."

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2008
When: 10 am to 2 pm, Ribbon cutting at 10 am
Where: 1430 7th St. Oakland, CA. Directly across from the West Oakland BART Station

The event will include food samples, live music, speakers and activities for children.
For more information, visit www.mandelafoods.com.

Mandela Foods Cooperative is located at Mandela Gateway, a mixed-income, mixed-use property in West Oakland that was developed by BRIDGE Housing. Beyond the retail space, the award-winning complex includes 168 affordable apartments, 14 affordable for-sale homes, an outdoor play area for children, and dedicated areas for educational classes and after-school programs. For more information about Mandela Gateway, visit www.bridgehousing.com.