Mission
Mandela MarketPlace is a 501-c-3 community leadership incubator that provides civic engagement, economic and entrepreneurial opportunity to low-income residents and minority farmers.
Who we are
Mandela MarketPlace is a pioneer in development, application and assessment of community food systems. The organization evolved since 2001, first as a project of the Environmental Justice Institute - Tides Center, until incorporating in 2005 as a stand-alone 501c3 organization with a goal to strengthen community health, integrity and indentity by providing economic opportunity and empowerment for inner-city Oakland residents and businesses, and local family farms. Mandela MarketPlace works directly with community residents, local, state and federal agencies, non-profits, small business owners, and farmers to support strategies to meet food needs, expand economic opportunity and increase self-reliance of low-income and disenfranchised people.
Mandela MarketPlace is an emerging small business incubator that promotes, facilitates and provides opportunity for disenfranchised people to benefit from public resources and a political voice to improve their quality of life and enhance their community.