Dana Harvey, the founder and executive director of Mandela MarketPlace in West Oakland, was honored by the Obama Administration for her work to make healthy foods and fresh produce accessible in Oakland. “Strengthening food security” is a topic that is close to the Obamas’ hearts, particularly with Michelle’s efforts to combat childhood obesity, and Harvey was one of eleven people invited to the White House last week to be honored as a Champion of Change. Because it was the week of the DNC, Harvey didn’t get to meet the Obamas, but she said she nevertheless “cried” during the panel discussion, “because it’s very emotional.” Harvey helped found Mandela Marketplace six years ago to raise funds to open the Mandela Foods Cooperative, a full-service grocery store and nutrition education center in West Oakland that also does wholesale distribution of fresh produce to local convenience stores that wouldn’t otherwise carry it. [Oakland North]
