November 2020

[Oakland Food Policy Council]

Hi OFPC Network,

We won't be hosting a meeting this month or next, but we wanted to share some announcements and resources as we approach "thanksgiving".

We hope you all are taking care and look forward to reconvening in 2021.

• OFPC UPDATE: We have submitted the paperwork to leave Earth Island and will be finalizing becoming a program of HOPE Collaborative by the end of this year 🎉 
  If you would like to support OFPC's work and continued development you can make a donation here. 
• NOTE: Under project, select HOPE Collaborative, and be sure to include "OFPC" in the optional "special purpose" section so that these funds are earmarked within HOPE for OFPC purposes. We are also attaching a screen recording with directions for additional support.

• UNLEARNING THE HISTORY OF THANKS-TAKING, a selection of resources curated by HEAL Food Alliance member i-Collective
• Native Choctaw scholar, activist, and Real Food Reads author Devon Mihesuah facilitates a “Week of Indigenous Eating” each Fall that challenges Natives (and non-Natives) to consume foods only of this hemisphere: check out the Facebook page Indigenous Eating to join.
  
• Last week, Oakland Unified School District passed a resolution to declare November Annual Indigenous People’s Heritage Month across the District. Over 500 Oakland students identify as Native American and Indigenous. Many are newly arriving migrants from indigenous communities in Mexico, Central America, and South America, including a growing population of 3,000+ Mam speaking families. It's important to see our institutions and systems take steps like this to honor the history, culture and impact of indigenous people in our communities, to support efforts to preserve Native historic sites, and recognize Oakland exists on stolen Ohlone land. (sourced from Council Member Bas)
  
  
• CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Davis (D1), VanCedric Williams (D3), Mike Hutchinson (D5), and Clifford Thompson (D7) on securing the OUSD Board seats in their respective districts! You can read more about the two district measures, QQ & Y, that passed this election cycle here.
• CALL FOR SUPPORT: Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas and the District 2 team are looking for community members and neighbors who would like to support two efforts at the Lake this weekend, and for our future plans to develop a co-governed encampment site in District 2. 
  

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY @ the Lake Merritt Vending Pilot D2 Table: We’ll distribute PPE and collect short surveys with vendors, neighbors, and park users for feedback about the pilot and how the City can improve these efforts moving forward. To sign up for a two-hour shift, please fill out the form here or email Lia Azul Salaverry at lsala...@oaklandca.gov. 
• We recommend wearing comfortable shoes such as sneakers, sunglasses and/or a hat for the sun, layers, and of course, a mask. PPE, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant will be provided.
• In addition to this, please note that our office, in coordination with the city, is developing an evaluation plan which will include a survey to be distributed broadly to residents and a variety of stakeholders to provide input and inform our future plans at the Lake. 
• Our team has been working with advocates, unsheltered residents, the City and community members to begin developing a co-governed encampment for unsheltered residents currently residing in the Athol Tennis Courts. The City now has a clear direction to create at least one co-governed encampment pilot within the next four months with an unsheltered community. We hope to expand this pilot and demonstrate self-determination among unhoused neighbors... We are working to identify sites in D2 to pilot a co-governed encampment and are asking residents, homeless advocates and community members to help us identify suitable public or private locations. In tandem with these efforts are plans to revitalize these tennis courts so our residents can use them again.
• While these plans are still being developed, we expect to work on an expedited time frame and will have more information to publically share soon. If you or others have recommendations or ideas for potential locations, please email Lia Azul Salaverry at lsala...@oaklandca.gov.
• ALAMEDA COUNTY $5K SMALL BIZ GRANTS: Last week, the County Board of Supervisors authorized $5 million in CARES Act funds for a COVID-19 grant program to provide one-time grants of $5K to small businesses.
  
  Learn more and apply at eastbayeda.org/grants by November 30, 2020, 11:30pm. Eligibility criteria includes: business is located in Alameda County, employs between 1 and 25 employees (self-employed individuals are also eligible), valid business license, layoff of one or more staff due to COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Asia & Tiffani on behalf of the

Oakland Food Policy Council