An Oakland-based urban farming nonprofit is turning a recent theft of its equipment into motivation to fulfill a longtime dream of building a community kitchen.
Kelly Carlisle, founder and executive director of Acta Non Verba — which teaches kids youth natural farming practices, along with vocational skills — said ANV had purchased a coffee cart as a means for the teens enrolled in its No Limit Leadership Youth Development Program to run a co-op business and earn money for their work.
But just after equipping the cart with the proper plumbing and electricity ahead of obtaining a permit, it was stolen from its storage space at the nonprofit’s West Oakland Farm Park location on Peralta Street.
“We know people are hurting and struggling, but it’s so mind-blowing to me,” Carlisle said.
Instead of replacing the $20,000 cart, the ANV team has decided to redirect its fundraising focus to opening a community kitchen at the West Oakland Farm Park that can serve as a place to put together meals for the community and a hub for cooking classes.
“I would like to use our fresh, organically grown produce to make hot meals and package them so they can go out into the community,” Carlisle said.
An avid gardener, Carlisle started the organization with the goal of giving kids in her community the knowledge, skills and tools to lead healthy lives and to connect them with the world outdoors, despite living in an urban setting.
“The idea that our kids should have lower quality foods, have lower quality education or lower quality spaces that they can enjoy the outdoors is really detrimental. Our work is to empower our youth and to let them know that there is no place that you don’t belong.”
Kelly Carlisle, Acta Non Verba founder and executive director
ANV operates four urban farms throughout Oakland — at Tassafaronga Park on 83rd Street, at the West Oakland Farm Park, on a plot of land at 537 Lewis St. and at a designated farming space near the Oakland Coliseum.
The farms are run by underserved youth, ages 5 to 25, who plant, harvest and sell the produce they grow. Carlisle said 100% of the profits they earn are placed into savings accounts that can only be used for educational purposes.
“They deserve to have a childhood. They deserve to have the best that our world has to offer,” she said. “The idea that our kids should have lower quality foods, have lower quality education or lower quality spaces that they can enjoy the outdoors is really detrimental. Our work is to empower our youth and to let them know that there is no place that you don’t belong.”
‘We can’t let setbacks stop us’
Also a U.S. Navy veteran, Carlisle explained that “Acta Non Verba” are the Latin words of the Merchant Marine, an organization of mariners who operate both civilian and federally owned commercial vessels.
“It means ‘deeds, not words,’ and that’s what we’re about,” she continued. “Our farm is an actual sanctuary for children that have seen too much and experienced too much.”
While Carlisle admits the recent theft left her feeling weary, she’s turning the experience into renewed ambition, and the ANV team aims to raise $50,000 for the new community kitchen project. To donate, visit anvfarm.org/donate.
“We can’t let setbacks stop us,” she continued. “One giant theft is not going to stop us from increasing the quality of life for youth in Oakland and everywhere.”
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