Chewing Over the Issues

About the Community Market Farms Program

Our Community Market Farms Program takes vacant or underutilized land and transforms it into market farms.  All the food produced on the farms is distributed on a donation-only basis at our Saturday farm stand.  In an area where access to healthy foods is limited, it is our farms that make it possible for many families to eat fresh vegetables rather than processed foods.  The program creates sustainable food systems that provide affordable, nutritious food directly to traditionally underserved populations in West Oakland. We collect food scraps from local businesses each week using our bicycle carts. These scraps, combined with donated sawdust and manure, are used to create compost that builds soil to support year-round growing. We also operate a greenhouse that supplies our market farms, Backyard Gardeners, and the public with plants and seedlings.  City Slicker Farms has created a truly local food cycle with residents contributing vegetable scraps for compost that is used to grow vegetables that are then distributed back to the community.  All our culturally appropriate, nutrient-dense, seasonal vegetables and fruits, eggs and honey are marketed and distributed to West Oakland residents at our weekly farm stand.  Everything is distributed on a donation-only basis to ensure that all residents are able to afford health-promoting foods, and no one is turned away due to a lack of funds.