City Slicker Farms

Every May, thousands of Oaklanders ditch their cars and hop on their bikes as part of Bike East Bay's Bike to Work Day. This year, to celebrate the upcoming Grand Opening, City Slicker Farms hosted an energizer station at the West Oakland Farm Park and handed out Bike to Work Day bags, Clif Bars, tea, and coffee to bike commuters on Peralta Street. The cherry on top? Bike East Bay featured us in the Bike to Work Day guide published in the East Bay Express -- check out the article below!

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For 15 years, City Slicker Farms has been working to empower West Oakland resident to meet their needs for healthy, fresh food by promoting farming in reclaimed backyard space and unused plots. “At the heart of it is supporting underserved communities – low-income adults, children, seniors and people in transitional housing – so that they can get healthy food,” says Samaki Dorsey, Community Partnerships Coordinator. This year, they’re hosting a new Energizer Station in West Oakland Bikes play an important role in City Slicker Farms’ work. Staff, volunteers and kids in the “Youth Crew” summer program use a bike trailer to haul harvested vegetables. “The kids learn that bikes are a way to get around and do work,” says Samaki. “It teaches them independence from cars. They don’t need to rely on someone to give them a ride somewhere.” City Slicker Farms is taking a big step forward this year by opening the West Oakland Farm Park, a farm and community space on Peralta Street near 28th Street. It will include a community garden, a demonstration nutrition area, beekeeping space, a playground, and plenty of space for community groups to visit and host events. Samaki describes it as “more than a park; it’s an activated space for everyone to enjoy.” They’re working with the City of Oakland to install a bike corral on Peralta Street to encourage folks to arrive by bike.

Community Partners keep Bike to Work Day rolling

City Slicker Farms is just one of the hundreds of community partners that Bike East Bay works with to encourage thousands to ride on May 12. Every single Energizer Station is hosted by a bike-friendly business, community organization, city staff or neighborhood group. This year, Bike East Bay is bringing Bike to Work Day to more neighborhoods than ever, with ten new Energizer Stations in Richmond, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward and Livermore. Pedal over to 2847 Peralta Street to check out the West Oakland Farm Park, and visit their Energizer Station on May 12 to get your free Bike to Work Day bag!
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Besides being a weekend of food, fun, and festivities, the Grand Opening of the West Oakland Farm Park will be a bike-friendly event, offering free bike valet service for all you pedal-powered commuters! Have you RSVPed to the Grand Opening yet? Join us June 11th and 12th -- and check out the schedule here.