People’s Grocery is having a party to celebrate and show off its new office. Everyone’s invited to check out the new space at 909 7th Street on Friday, May 21, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Guests will enjoy treats prepared fresh from People’s Grocery gardens, Honest Tea beverages, a plant sale and music by the Western Whistleblowers. Attending the open house is a great way to learn how People’s Grocery is creating a local food system in West Oakland to counter the lack of grocery stores and improve access to healthy food.

Jonathan Darr, the new developmental director, said, “People’s Grocery wants the new office to be a place where residents can communicate their needs and interests related to urban gardening, nutrition, and creating a healthier West Oakland.”

“Since I started in January," said executive director Nikki Henderson, “I’ve met so many enthusiastic people who love the work we’re doing and the team here. The open house is a great chance to hear from them and to meet more of the people that have been part of People's Grocery as volunteers, supporters and program participants.”

Information on programs including GRUB boxes, cooking classes and urban agriculture will be on display to show how People’s Grocery produces and distributes fresh foods, provides nutrition education, promotes urban agriculture and creates local jobs.

“People at the open house will also get information about some of our expanding programs like Community Hands, a series of nutrition demonstrations we’re doing in West Oakland, and the Growing Justice Institute, our job training program,” said Henderson.

Need plants? Tomato, zucchini, cucumber, kale, collards, peppers and herb plants raised through People’s Grocery growing programs will be on sale for $2 to $5. Sales will benefit efforts to hire a resident of the California Hotel to work in its greenhouse and gardens.

The hotel, at 3463 San Pablo Ave., is home to low-income occupants and houses the West Oakland office of Just Cause. People’s Grocery maintains a greenhouse and garden behind the hotel that supply food for its programs.

Darr explained how residents welcomed People’s Grocery into their home and made them part of the hotel community. In turn, several hotel occupants participate in the volunteer work days and urban gardening training.

“It’s their garden too, “said Darr. “Hiring a resident is a great opportunity for everyone.”

“There’s always a lot happening at People's Grocery and we hope people come out and enjoy our new space,” said Henderson.

People’s Grocery Community Open House, 909 7th St., Oakland, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 21. Open to the public, admission is free.

For more information, call 510-652-7607 or e-mail pgcomm@peoplesgrocery.org.