Oakland CARES Act: Saba Grocers Initiative

Posted: March 15th, 2021 10:33 PM

Last Updated: March 16th, 2021 5:04 PM

Program Overview

The Saba Grocers Initiative distributed 1,000 Saba Food Cards worth $250 each to residents living in neighborhoods with high COVID rates. Closed-loop restricted access cards were developed by Saba to be used at 26 independently-owned stores across the City of Oakland. They were accompanied by COVID kits that included 2 masks and an 8oz bottle of hand sanitizer. In addition, Saba Grocers Initiative installed 13 hand sanitizer stations at 13 neighborhood stores.

In addition to the food cards, the program worked with 7 corner stores to introduce fresh produce. Weekly produce deliveries were made to 7 corner stores on a weekly basis, as well as flyers, $30 coupons, and produce promotional materials. Also, essential grocery subsidies were provided to all residents shopping at the 7 participating corner stores. The subsidy approved “Grocery List” included essential items such as milk, bread, butter, flour, Maseca, beans, and eggs. The initiative offered the extra benefit of assisting stores in their efforts to transition into healthy retail in neighborhoods with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

Program participants were identified from the zip codes most impacted by COVID-19 and experiencing economic duress due to the pandemic. Priority was given to individuals and families who identified as undocumented, unsheltered, seniors, persons living with disabilities, single mothers and families with children under 5, pregnant women, those residing in limited English speaking communities (i.e. Nepali , Mam, Arabian), those without access to SNAP/EBT benefits and other government benefits, individuals with COVID diagnosis, families of currently incarcerated folks, and recently released incarcerated.

The cards were distributed by a network of nonprofit partners that included Sugar Freedom Project, East Oakland Collective, Homies Empowerment, Trybe, Street level Health Project, Parks & Rec and Head Start, Lighthouse Mosque, Madison Park Academy (OUSD), corner store owners and community organizers also helped identify card recipients.

The initiative allowed the 7 corner store participants located in Oakland's flatland communities to expand their produce and grocery selection. Stores were provided with energy-efficient commercial refrigerators stocked with produce at the start of the program. They were also provided with a subsidy which allowed them to lower prices on essential grocery items. Store owners were required to list items at a price point approved by the Saba Grocers Initiative. Fresh produce was delivered on a weekly basis and store employees received training in produce handling, maintenance, sales, and ordering. Stores were required to purchase fresh produce and market it to customers at all point of sale transactions.

Testimonials

“My family and I got very sick with COVID in November. We couldn’t work, but we didn’t receive any help. My husband had to ask for a loan to pay the rent and the bills - these bills don’t wait. […] You have helped me with my food, I want to thank you for your help. You don’t know how much I appreciate it because truly I need it.” -Sobrante Park Card Recipient

“I gave a Saba card to a woman who was in her 60s, she lost her place - they tripled her rent where she had lived for 25 years. She was laid off from work … How can you hold a positive attitude when you have nowhere to go, when you have no food to cook, when you look at your child and can’t feed them 3 healthy meals a day - many of us even with jobs can’t provide that, can't get the nutrients and vitamins and different things for our body but the expectation is that we’re still supposed to be alright?” -Sugar Freedom Project Resident Leader (Deep East Oakland)

“I gave a card to a woman who just got released from jail after doing 6 years - she just found out she was pregnant and was at a shelter but didn’t want to stay there because of COVID. When she got the card from me, she was crying and stressed out and praying because she wanted to know what she was gonna do when she got into this new room of hers and she asked if she could spend at Gazzali's - pots, pans, toothbrush - things she did not have a way of thinking she could get.” -Sugar Freedom Project Resident Leader (West Oakland)

“With growing stress with less and less money, the Saba card was good to buy things I need. With the kids at home all day because of shelter in place all the expenses and bills go up.” -Fruitvale Card Recipient

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