Raising the Hope Freedom Farmers' Market
About Us:
In 2013, at the invitation of the restaurant owner of Brother's Kitchen, Farms to Grow, Inc. facilitated the creation of Oakland's Freedom Farmers' Market. First located on the parking lot of Brother's Kitchen, the market relocated in 2014 to 5316 Telegraph Ave. Our mission is to bring traditional legacy foods from Black farmers and other sustainable farmers into Oakland as we engage a community vibe of self-reliance, cooperative community development, and healthy sustainable environments for all.
Named by Dr. Gail Myers, co-founder of FTG, because of inspiration from the work of Fannie Lou Hamer's Freedom Farm, the Freedom Farmers' Market supports the idea of freedom to choose affordable local food and freedom to access fresh food grown by Black farmers. In addition to a chance to meet some of California's Black farmers, at the Freedom FM you can join in the crowder pea shell off, healthy soul food demos, enjoy the sounds of R&B -Jazz & Blues, free bread, books, and lots of black cultural expressions.
The move to Telegraph Community Center creates a synergy much like a food hub. Victory Garden Foundation manages a lovely garden there, there is an existing food pantry, meal programs, commercial kitchen, and now a farmers market. We are excited to partner with VGF and TCC because they are as passionate about their work as we are, and our partnership encompasses the same mission.
