photo CC BY 2.0 by PunkToadPollinate is a farm & garden store on Fruitvale Avenue in the Sausal Creek/Patten neighborhood, which sort of straddles Fruitvale and Dimond districts (they claim Fruitvale).
Pollinate calls themselves a "general store with a twist:" they offer supplies for people who want to grow and eat farm-to-table type meals, including supplies for vegetables, beekeeping and even chickens.
The store definitely leans heavily toward the homesteader, as opposed to the backyard gardener. Tons of different small animal feeds and feed choices and lots of stuff for egg harvesting. Lots of resources for bee-keeping, which, it should be noted, currently requires a conditional use permit in Oakland. The store has a small selection of books which lean toward the backyard farm, as well. There is a big display of seeds and a few seedlings.
They offer cool classes and speakers on weekends.
Pollinate was the recipient of the East Bay Express Best New Business Readers' Poll Award in 2014. They also won the Best Organic Farming Supply Shop from the Editors. In 2015 they were the East Bay Express Readers' Poll Award for Best Place to Learn DIY or Homesteading Skills.
photo CC BY 2.0 by PunkToad
External Link
Location
2727 Fruitvale Avenue
Phone
510.686 DIY FOOD (3493)
Hours:
Wed-Fri 10:00-6:00
Sat 9:30-6:00
Sun Noon-5:00
