1 minute read
In Conversation with Mandela Grocery
from An Intro to Agroecology: a political, social, and cultural process - with emphasis on the East Bay
by Monica Chan
Mandela Grocery Cooperative on 7th St in West Oakland “How does a worker-owned cooperative work towards food justice
and promote community change?”
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★ Mandela challenges food apartheid in West Oakland by providing natural, organic foods in an area where overprocessed foods, candy, soda, & alcohol are in abundance at corner stores ★ They support the community by buying from local vendors to bring fresh, organic produce to their customers ★ Discounts are offered to neighbors in government-funded housing, and SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted ★ Employees are empowered by being centered around the daily operations and administrative decisions of the business
“What would you like people to know about co-ops?”
❖ If more people and businesses moved over to a co-op model, we could make much change in society by empowering workers, offering equitable pay, and building community ❖ Let’s remove idea that we have to have a manager in a work setting and instead value employees not just as a means to an end but as individuals working collaboratively
“How can our readers help?”
➢ Put a little money in the karma jar! Anything you put forward will go towards someone else’s groceries ➢ Contribute online paypal.com/paypalme/mandelacoop
