DSAL COMMUNITY KITCHEN IS ENDING

Official Notice: DSAL’s Community Kitchen Will be CLOSED, Effective July 1, 2025

Regretfully, DSAL will officially cease all operations at the Community Kitchen on July 1, 2025. The entrepreneurs utilizing the facility have been informed and were given as much lead time as possible to prepare for the closure and make other arrangements for their small businesses. DSAL, along with our partners and Alameda County officials, are in conversation about ways to support the entrepreneurs, and we are committed to making their transition to a new location as smooth as possible.

DSAL’s Community Kitchen has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and helped scores of food businesses find success, many of whom have gone on to launch their own food trucks and brick-and-mortar establishments. We worked hard to make the Community Kitchen one of the most affordable options and create a hub of thriving, mutually supportive small business owners who learned together and celebrated one another’s successes.

DSAL opened the Kitchen in January 2020 after renovating the blighted, abandoned animal control facility that formerly stood in this location. The Kitchen has served as a lifeline for residents and families living in the County’s unincorporated areas, hosting free, weekly food drives throughout the COVID pandemic and organizing deliveries of free, fresh produce as part of the County’s Recipe4Health initiative, which continues to improve the health of residents and create a more equitable, local food system to this day.

Loss of funding, shifting program priorities, and evolving organizational objectives have made it impossible for DSAL to continue operating the Kitchen. We are deeply aware of the impact this will have on the entrepreneurs operating their businesses here, as well as the residents who strengthened the community by championing our local, home-grown food vendors.

As we adapt to changing circumstances, we remain committed to our core purpose of creating a safer, healthier community by providing free, year-round, recreational sports, health, and fitness programs that support the health of 2000 + adults and children each year. While we are heartbroken to say goodbye to the Community Kitchen, we do so with confidence in the strength and resilience of the small food businesses we’ve supported, many of whom are now well-positioned to grow and pursue new opportunities.

Please email DSAL at info@acdsal.org with any questions.

FREE FOOD DRIVE

DSAL’s Weekly Food Drive Will Close Permanently on June 27, 2025

To all of our friends and neighbors:

We regret to inform you that DSAL will hold its final, weekly, drive-through, food distribution event on Friday, June 27, 2025.

We will also cease operations at the DSAL Community Kitchen, effective July 1, 2025.

Due to a combination of significant funding losses, shifting program landscapes, and evolving organizational changes, continuing these services is no longer possible. We know how vital they have been to many in our community, and we deeply regret the hardship this may cause.

In spite of this, resources are available to our community.

To locate a food bank near you, visit the resource page on DSAL’s website, call the Alameda County Food Bank’s Helpline (1-510-635-3663), or visit their website for a comprehensive directory of free food options.

Please email info@acdsal.org with any questions.

DSAL Operates a Free Food Program where residents in need can receive weekly free food pantry services at

2700 Fairmont Drive, San Leandro, CA 94578

Drop-in Free Community Food Services
Thursdays
10:30 am - 12:30 pm or until supplies last

Drive-up Free Community Food Services (cars & bikes only)
Fridays
1 pm - 3 pm or until supplies last

Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

For questions about our free food services
Call: 510-820-5222

Email: info@acdsal.org

LOCAL VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Creative Sips

Bringing Flavor & Community on Wheels

Creative SIPS delivers a delightful mix of boba, coffee, smoothies, and small dessert snacks—perfect for any party size across the Bay Area. Beyond their food truck service, they offer bottled beverage drop-offs, table service, and catering-style drop-offs for smaller gatherings.

Committed to quality, they source coffee from local roasters and teas from Berkeley’s Blue Willow Teaspot. Sustainability is also a priority, with all drinks served in 100% compostable cups and straws.

Meimei Ma's journey has been one of growth and support, and she views every challenge that she has faced in her business as a valuable lesson that has made her a better person. With the support of the DSAL Community Kitchen, Creative SIPS has gained valuable guidance on business expansion, budgeting, and financial planning.

"Sharing experiences with fellow entrepreneurs and learning from each other has been incredibly rewarding. A special thanks to Mikki for the hands-on budget support and to DSAL for creating an organized space for vendors."

Her advice for aspiring food entrepreneurs?
"Don’t be shy—ask questions! Keep reaching out, and you’ll find the right people to answer or connect you. Then do the same and offer help when you meet new entrepreneurs in the future."

With a café in San Leandro and a food truck catering and popping up throughout the Bay Area, you can follow Creative SIPS on their website, Facebook, or Instagram to see where they’ll be next, and get some of their delicious snacks for yourself!

KITCHEN COLLECTIVE MAGAZINE

Our Virtual Magazine detailing our community resources, updates, and incredible vendors!

EDITION 3 - 4/24

EDITION 2 - 11/22