Food Victory at UC Berkeley

Two years ago, Panda Express approached UC Berkeley planning to be the first fast-food chain on campus. Through non-transparent, “wouldn’t-take-no-for-an-answer” (according to a senior administrator), back-door negotiations and tens of thousands of dollars spent on planning and negotiating by Panda, the Store Operations Board (SOB) voted to sign a letter of intent to enter into a contract. In the winter of 2008, through dedicated work of a handful of leaders, students became aware of this unhealthy and unsustainable corporate chain’s attempt to brand the campus and launched an anti-Panda campaign.

After hundreds of hours of research, dozens of lobbying meetings, 1,300 petition signatures and unprecedented student attendance of every spring SOB meeting - plus the introduction of our idea of a student-run sustainable food coop as an alternative - the Panda contract was brought to a vote. On May 5, after voting to pursue a contract with Panda for two years, the SOB voted down negotiations with Panda Express 6-3.

Today, the Berkeley Student Food Cooperative has secured over $100,000 in grants, 80 active volunteers, support from experts and luminaries such as Michael Pollan and plans to open an “at cost” cooperatively run organic and local grocery and deli by January 2010.