Crossing boundaries for a better world
Although not entirely by design, People’s Grocery is situated at an important nexus of issues that reach across many communities and concerns. Our work, brand and message speak to a diverse group of people and embody a set of values that bridge efforts to advance social justice in low-income communities and communities of color with causes for environmental sustainability and ecological restoration. A great example of this is our sustainable farming activities that steward and replenish the ecosystem while providing opportunities for West Oakland youth to gain meaningful employment and training and for West Oakland families to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
We believe that social change work that crosses socio-economic boundaries and bridges various movements and communities is the best solution for creating a better world. In fact, we believe that a multi-cultural movement that crosses divides and brings efforts for social and environmental justice together are the only movements that have any chance of saving our world. So while People’s Grocery makes West Oakland (as a low-income community of color) our priority and emphasizes social justice as an outcome, we also work to build relationships with people and communities that are predominantly caucasian and/or middle or upper class and to connect with issues that these groups care about. Because our worlds are not separate, despite all of the barriers that exist that keep us separate. And true solutions that will solve the world’s greatest problems and improve the lives of all people will need everyone to be a part.
