Program Description
THE BREAD PROJECT was started in 2000 by Susan Phillips and Lucie Buchbinder. Both were involved in the management of low-income housing. Many of their tenants wanted to become independent financially but lacked the job skills to do so. So Susan and Lucie conceived the idea of providing an avenue for low-income people to become trained in a meaningful occupation and to help them access the job market. Research for jobs for which there was a steadily growing demand led to the food service industry.
THE BREAD PROJECT is a California nonprofit 501(c)3 public benefit corporation that trains low-income and unemployed people in the skills needed for entry-level commercial baking and cooking positions. In addition, THE BREAD PROJECT staff helps students find and retain jobs in the food service industry.
Our program is conducted in collaboration with the Berkeley Adult School and classes are held in the school's kitchen at 1701 San Pablo Avenue., Berkeley. In addition, we partner with the Oakland Adult Education and the Oakland Unified School District's Programs for Exceptional Children to provide similar training at 2850 West Street, Oakland. We offer five class sessions in Berkeley and two sessions in Oakland annually. Classes are nine weeks long; Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Class size is limited to twenty to ensure individual attention in a warm and caring learning atmosphere.
THE BREAD PROJECT teaches students to bake breads, pastries, and cakes; to decorate cakes; to make soups, pizzas, and salads; and other food preparation skills. Students also learn job readiness skills - how to write resumes, fill out job applications, conduct successful interviews and look for jobs. The program offers job placement assistance and follow-up services to students and graduates for as long as they need them. The program also provides a café management course to aspiring students. Internships are available to graduates to manage THE BREAD PROJECT bakery/café located at the training sites. A nationally-accredited ServSafe course in food safety and sanitation is offered to enhance the employability of our graduates. We have assisted victims of Hurricane Katrina by providing them with marketable skills, social support, and job referral assistance.
In its seven years of operation, THE BREAD PROJECT has achieved enviable successes - an 85% graduation rate, a 75% employment rate, and an 84% one-year retention rate. THE BREAD PROJECT has received awards and commendations from the Berkeley Community Fund, Alameda County Social Services, Sustainable San Mateo County, the Boards of Supervisors for San Francisco and Alameda Counties, the Mayors of Berkeley and San Francisco, the California State Legislature, and the U.S. Congress.