Mandela Grocery Cooperative is a small worker-owned cooperative grocery store in West Oakland, California, which opened in 2009. Unlike conventional supermarkets and grocery stores, Mandela is operated, centrally governed, and democratically controlled by its worker-owners. The coop serves as a hub for the West Oakland community, not only providing access to healthy food in what is otherwise a “food desert,” but also in serving as a hub for community connection, relationships and support.