Farm-Direct Food and a Social Justice Mission
Our long-running Farm Direct Food and CSA Guide has become a hot spot on the internet as people seek out the safest ways to get farm-fresh food and simultaneously support our local farmers during the pandemic. The options below emphasize social equity, so check them out first, and then head to our full, updated guide.
Acta Non Verba Beet Box
Kelly Carlisle’s groundbreaking youth-employment project operates three small farms in Oakland providing opportunities for youth, ages 5–15, to plan, plant, harvest, and sell the farms’ produce. 100% of proceeds from subscription sales are deposited into individual savings accounts for participating youth. More info here.
Youth pack fresh produce, local honey, and other locally produced products into the Acta Non Verba Beet Boxes in East Oakland. (Photo courtesy of Acta Non Verba)
Brown Girl Farms
We’ve been excited to watch as Ashlee Johnson-Geisse works toward launching her new urban farm in Hayward this spring. Her endeavor carries an intention toward helping elevate queer Black women farmers with more representation and recognition in the farming field. This CSA program offers a chance for those who can afford to pay more to subsidize shares for people in our local community with less access to wealth and income. Get info here.
Urban farmer Ashlee Johnson-Geisse takes a break with her wife Jen and dog Jay at the farm property in Hayward. (Photo courtesy of Brown Girl Farms)
Farms to Grow, Inc.
During the social uprisings and pandemic, Dr. Gail Meyers’s nonprofit has rallied to expand their monthly produce-bag program to reach more households around the Bay and offer more mutual aid. The program supports Black and underserved sustainable farmers and also creates good opportunities to volunteer for the cause. There’s currently a 10% early-bird discount for 2021 signups! Get info here.
Dr. Gail Meyers meets with with Iyalode Kinney, Elaine Smith, and interns Jazzy Johnson, Cheyanne Harris, and Danielle Smith at CURME Farm. (Photo courtesy of Farms to Grow, Inc.)
Farmer Bertha picks blackberries on her farm in Watsonville. (Photo courtesy of Tera Farm)
Tera Farm
Tera Farm is a South Bay–based nonprofit tech platform devoted to empowering small organic farmers to become more successful via direct sales to consumers. East Bay residents can choose and purchase produce grown by former farmworker Bertha Magaña at her Magaña Farm at the online store with no commitment to a weekly box. Tera Farm is working to expand drop sites in our East Bay neighborhoods, so this is an opportunity to get on board with your own social-equity activism while simply enjoying local, organic produce. Get info here.
