FAMILY FARMERS                                                    

Mandela Foods and Mandela MarketPlace have a strong commitment to local, under-resourced and minority producers. We have long-term working relationships with farmers who use sustainable farming practices from Bakersfield, Fresno, Dinuba, Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Livingston and Modesto.

Our Produce Distribution Center supports small, local farms by establishing a local, alternative distribution network that passes on wholesale prices to networks of neighborhood stores and other community based businesses.

The farm families we work with produce enough to support their families, steward the soil, and leave a secure legacy for their children. However, many cannot access mainstream distribution channels and market their produce to established distributors in the urban centers where their primary retail markets exist. Some of the barriers to accessing mainstream distribution channels include language, culture, lack of access to land ownership, lack of financial resources, and lack of education about wholesale distribution practices. These barriers limit their ability to manage risk, whether it is management efficiencies, financial stability, or access to contracts, insurance and credit. MMPlace provides an alternative distribution network that services under resourced producers and links to an emerging urban retail base that improves the financial stability of these producers.

Mandela Marketplace leveraged resources for a warehouse, cold storage unit, cargo van and a produce buyer to distribute foods from marginalized farmers to small stores, market booths and community institutions that would not otherwise have reliable access to these foods at discounted prices.

Each year, we supply fresh produce at a discount to the Swim A Mile for Cancer sponsored by the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, and the Healthy Living Festival sponsored by Supervisor Nate Miley that serves over 1,800 seniors from Alameda County.