USL Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club Announces Partnership with West Oakland Based Mandela Partners

April 4, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


Oakland, CA - Oakland Roots and Soul SC announces new Oakland based partnership with Mandela Partners as the Official Local Produce Partner of the club. Mandela Partners, founded 20 years ago in West Oakland, was established to fill a gap created by deeply rooted inequities: a challenging local food environment, a legacy of redlining and economic disinvestment, and limited opportunities for quality jobs, small business support, and long-term wealth building.

"This is the true essence of our Purpose coming through in our brand partnerships," said Oakland Roots and Soul SC VP, Brand Partnerships, Andrea Lepore. "Mandela Partners works directly with a group of small, BIPOC-owned farmers, literally rooted in Oakland and the greater Bay Area region. We are honored to have their support with fresh, local produce to nourish our players."

Through their community food hub, Mandela Produce Distribution, Mandela Partners will provide a weekly delivery of local and sustainably grown produce including citrus, stone fruits, and berries to Oakland Roots and Soul SC players.

"This is an exciting partnership for us," said Mandela Partners' Executive Director Monique Brown. "Not only will our collaboration introduce more of our Oakland community to Mandela Partners' deeply impactful work, each piece of fruit provided to the players translates to direct economic benefit to our farmers, who work so hard to keep us all fed."

Mandela Partners takes an innovative whole-person, whole-community approach that uses food as a tool for Black and Brown communities to build their own wealth, well-being, and opportunities. Programs include: produce distribution programs that support small BIPOC farmers and bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Oakland and surrounding food-insecure communities; culinary training for community members facing barriers to employment, with a focus on those returning home after incarceration; workshops, mentorship, and resources for small food business owners and entrepreneurs; and culturally-relevant wellness education that goes beyond nutritional health and supports physical, emotional, and mental well-being. For more information, please visit www.mandelapartners.org.

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