Oakland A Food Hub Once Again

Affordable space, city incentives, and good transport are bringing Oakland, CA back to its roots as a center of the food processing industry.

1 minute read

October 28, 2009, 8:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Oakland used to be the world's largest food processing center, with scores of canneries, bakeries and breweries. The industry died off when giant companies consolidated, but today Oakland is seeing a revival of food production.

"At a time when most industries in the state are suffering, Oakland's food business - including everything from tofu to doughnuts - appears to be expanding and hiring workers for living wage jobs.

"We're growing what has always been a strength and recognizing that there is a new momentum building in food production," said Margot Prado, industrial specialist in the city's economic development agency."

Thanks to Zelda Bronstein

Sunday, October 25, 2009 in San Francisco Chronicle

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