[company_age]9.0[/company_age][employees]1-10 employees[/employees][funding]grant[/funding][description]Oakland Bloom is a non-profit organization based in Oakland, California, that empowers refugee and immigrant chefs to launch their own food businesses. Founded in 2014, the organization provides a comprehensive support system that includes business training, incubator programs, and access to resources and networks. Oakland Bloom's unique approach focuses on creating an equitable and accessible food service industry that prioritizes community safety, worker rights, and pathways to ownership for marginalized communities.

The organization's flagship program, Open Test Kitchen (OTK), is a year-long incubator that combines commercial food training with access to income-generating opportunities. Oakland Bloom also operates the Cooperative Restaurant Group (CRG), which provides alternative financing solutions for food businesses, prioritizing chef equity and decision-making power. Additionally, the Detox the Industry (DTI) initiative aims to reshape the food service industry by developing cooperatively owned food businesses that embody community principles and values.

Oakland Bloom's work is particularly impactful because it supports a population of chefs who face significant barriers to entry, including language proficiency, immigration status, and lack of access to resources. The organization's focus on accessibility and inclusivity ensures that its programs are tailored to the specific needs of its diverse clientele.

Oakland Bloom's commitment to economic equity and social justice sets it apart from other food business incubators. The organization's mission is not only to help chefs launch successful businesses but also to create a more just and equitable food system that benefits everyone.[/description][ps]Business training, incubator programs, access to resources and networks, alternative financing solutions for food businesses, development of cooperatively owned food businesses.[/ps]