American author, Henry David Thoreau, wrote that “it is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” This holiday season we want to encourage our readers to think more critically about waste in relation to consumption. Undeniably, our culture produces an astronomical amount of waste. The holidays present a particular challenge for conservationists as there is an expectation of exchange gifts with others. However, there are many alternative gifts. Consider a gift of an experience. Experiences don’t require single-use plastics or other gift wrapping, and don’t run the risk of being tossed away.
Acknowledge also that energy is required to produce new items. If you are going to buy something tangible, there are social and environmental benefits from shopping locally. A simple way of lowering your carbon footprint is to simply cut out purchasing products made abroad.
This holiday season, we encourage you to support the local and small businesses in our Bayview-Hunters Point community. Below are a few businesses we’ve worked with recently. We hope that this list gives you some inspiration as you examine how you consume during this season (and the many seasons to come).
Auntie April’s Chicken-n-Waffles
Auntie April’s provided food for LEJ’s 20th anniversary celebration. Having grown up in Bayview, April Spears opened up her chicken and waffle restaurant 12 years ago. Given her success, she was able to open a new restaurant called Cafe Envy just this year. The opening of Cafe Envy garnered press coverage, and during the opening, Auntie April commented on how rising costs impact Black families. With her business savvy mindset, she is doing her part to push back on gentrification. Consider taking a friend to either of Auntie April’s restaurants as a holiday treat!
Auntie April’s has nearly 600 online reviews with a 4 out of 5 star rating on Yelp.
Bayview Opera House
Bayview Opera House is such a gem for our community and hosts many community events, including the Vidya Chander dance performance that benefitted LEJ. Taken from their website: “Bayview Opera House is the culture hub for Bayview Hunters Point and offers free and low-cost community arts events and arts education for youth. Our affordable rental program affords local artists the opportunity to use our venue and present their work.” Some friends may very well appreciate a donation in their name. Otherwise, check out their calendar for movie screenings, ice skating, and other activities. Money spent here will ensure that the community receives ongoing programs to benefit local youth.
Flora Grubb Gardens
Flora Grubb has grown into a Bay Are staple. They provided some decorative accessories for our 20th anniversary event. The location of this garden nursery includes an onsite cafe and plenty of space to host large group gatherings. Consider giving a gift certificate from Flora Grubb. In purchasing plants from this nursery, a person can also gain some hands-on experience at the “potting bench.” Inspiring others to care for plants is a great first step to becoming an environmental steward!
Flora Grubb Gardens has over 400 online reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating on Yelp.
Radio Africa Kitchen
Radio Africa Kitchen also provided food for LEJ’s 20th anniversary celebration. This restaurant was founded by African immigrant, Eskender Aseged, who arrived to the U.S. in the 80s from Ethiopia. Aseged has taken his knowledge of Ethiopian cuisine and has given it a fresh twist with fresh local ingredients. Because the chef is only using fresh ingredients, his menu changes seasonally. In other words, this may well be a restaurant you visit frequently!
Radio Africa Kitchen has over 300 online reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Yelp!
All Good Pizza
Organic salads, fresh baked bread, and everything created from scratch using local vendors like Veritable Vegetable, Molinari Salami, and the Evergood Sausage Company! This is a business model we can definitely get behind. Sourcing with local vendors means lowering the amount of energy it takes to transport produce. It also means putting money directly back into our immediate surrounding. Most people are already aware that organic produce means fewer chemicals going into our bodies. We also applaud All Good Pizza for listing their local vendors so that other businesses can reach out to them. This is definitely another great treat as a holiday gift.
All Good Pizza has over 200 online reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Yelp!
Tato
Tato has the same owners as All Good Pizza, and it’s safe to assume a similar model is applied here. Now Tato has a unique story. Tato is the name of a boy born in the Bayview area in 2005. Tato’s mother found inspiration from Tato’s father’s Mexican heritage and applied many of the family’s recipes in this new restaurant venture. Borrowed from its website: “The tradition of this food, the source of our passion, and our commitment to those we serve is what we are about. We use locally sourced ingredients to make the recipes of Tato’s sweet abuelita (grandmother)- the same recipes she created in Mexico City and shared with us years ago in San Francisco.” A gift certificate from this venue is sure to put a smile on someone’s face.
Tato has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Yelp!
Fox & Lion Bread Company
Their tagline is “fresh bread for the neighborhood.” In the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, this bread company serves bread, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches daily! This company is all about organic whole milled grains, fruits, and vegetables. They offer pizza nights on Fridays to create a family environment and also feature local artists. It’s inspiring to see local businesses engage and foster their local community.
Fox & Lion Bread Company has a 5 out of 5 star rating on Yelp!
