<!-- Alternate content for non-supporting browsers --> <div id="pic-container" name="pic-container" style="float:right; width:310;height:225; text-align:right;background-color: white;"><img id="pic-rotate" name="pic-rotate" src="/news/newsletter/images/issue48/48-0.jpg" border="1" width="300" height="200" alt="A City of Villages" title="A City of Villages" /> <div id="pic-title" name="pic-title" style="float:right; margin: 0; padding: 0;"><font size="-2">A City of Villages </font></div></div><script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">var pic_sel= new Array(); pic_sel[0] = new Image(); pic_sel[0].src='/news/newsletter/images/issue48/48-0.jpg'; pic_sel[0].alt='A City of Villages'; var picnumb= 1; </script><font face='verdana,helvetica'> <i><b>A City of Villages : Happy Holidays!</b> <br />OFC<b> <p>OFC Online Fundraiser</b></i> <p>Greetings OFC Supporters! I hope all is well with you during this holiday season! </p> <p> Oakland Food Connection was founded in 2005 with two principal goals: <strong>(1)</strong> To facilitate access to nutritious food in Oakland’s communities and <strong>(2)</strong> To make sure that the next generation of young people will know what healthy food is all about. You have been part of carrying this vision forward, and I am deeply grateful for your support and encouragement as OFC has grown and expanded over the last four years. </p> <p> Our work this year has continued to <strong>engage and inspire youth</strong>—building gardens at local schools, harvesting the tasty produce, cooking nutritious foods, and learning entrepreneurial skills in the Purple Lawn Café. Students are now teaching other students the joy of gardening, as experience and learning are passed on. </p> <p> We successfully launched the <strong>Oakland Community Farmers Market</strong> in the Laurel District, where local organic producers, artisan bakers and other local vendors of prepared foods, hand-crafted jewelry, soap, and other products market their wares to a growing clientele. In addition to supporting the local community, the Oakland Community Farmers’ Market supports our growing youth business, The Purple Lawn Café where youth chefs prepare healthy lunches and snacks for customers at the market. <br /> <br /> OFC continues to <strong>build partnerships</strong> with other local organizations, including the <A HREF=" http://www.oaklandfoodandfitness.net/">Hope Collaborative </A> , <A HREF=" http://www.mandelamarketplace.org/">Mandela Marketplace</A>, <A HREF=" http://www.peoplesgrocery.org/">People’s Grocery</A>, <A HREF=" http://www.cityslickerfarms.org/">City Slicker Farms</A>, and many others as we expand our efforts to create a sustainable food system in our community. </p> <p> <strong>Our vision is sound and it is just:</strong> every citizen deserves to have access to fresh, healthy, and delicious food that is nutritious and affordable. </p> <p> In spite of the tight economy we have been able to sustain our programs through 2009. In 2010 we will celebrate our 5th year, and we hope you will join us in celebrating all we have accomplished and all that is to come. <strong>You are part of our vision and our work. You can be proud that your investment in OFC contributes to the health and well-being of our community</strong> and helps build a healthier and more secure future for our youth and children. </p> <p> As we prepare for new opportunities and challenges next year, <strong>we again ask for your generous support.</strong> </p> <p> Our online fundraiser is still going strong! With the help of generous donations from supporters we will be able to keep our programs running and take on new projects in the new year! </p> <p> Please remember Oakland Food Connection this holiday season and send us your donation by using our online PayPal tool: Go to www.foodcommunityculture.org and click “Donate” or by mailing a check to: <br /> Oakland Food Connection <br /> 4173 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 10 <br /> Oakland, CA 94619 </p> <p> <strong><u>Choose one of the following categories:</strong></u> </p> <p> <strong>1. CHANGEMAKER $250.00 (ask your friends to join you) </p> <p> 2. VISIONARY $125.00-$150.00 </p> <p> 3. CHAMPION $50-$75 </p> <p> 4. SUPPORTER $35.00 </p> <p> Please support our mission, and enlist your friends, family members and loved ones to be part of the solution!</strong> </p> <br /> <br /> <p> Have blessed holidays! </p> <p> Jason Harvey <br /> Executive Director </p> <br /> <br /> <p> <p> </p></font>
