Mandela Partners

Current Market Residencies

Businesses participate in residencies at Foodwise farmers markets on a rotating basis through the Building Equity program. Check back for updates or sign up for the Foodwise e-letter.

• Tee n Dee’s Homemade Ice Cream (April through October 2026): Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Saturdays (8 am to 2 pm)

People

Mandela Partners is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with local residents, family farmers, and community-based businesses to improve health, create wealth, and build assets through local food enterprises in limited-resource communities.

About

Rooted in West Oakland for over 20 years, Mandela Partners is building a just and abundant future through food. For BIPOC food entrepreneurs, Mandela Partners’ Entrepreneur Incubation Program offers equitable opportunities to test and grow their businesses through pop-ups, farmers markets, and the E14th Eatery + Kitchen incubator. Through the Building Equity program, Foodwise partners with Mandela Partners to host local food entrepreneurs in popping up at the farmers market to connect with the larger Bay Area community.

Their work focuses on three core areas including food entrepreneurship, food access and distribution, and food workforce development. Their food entrepreneurship programs support early- and growth-stage food businesses through education, one-on-one coaching, and equitable access to sales opportunities. Their food access and distribution programs expand access to fresh, locally grown produce across Alameda County while supporting small, BIPOC-owned farms and local food economies. They also provide culinary training, paid internships, and holistic job-readiness support for community members facing barriers to employment, alongside culturally relevant wellness education.