Food at the Gathering
Local food has always been central to the Annual Gathering and this year is no different. We’re highlighting small, local food businesses and vendors from across San Diego County—especially from the community of Southeastern San Diego that surrounds this year’s venue.
9—10am | Registration & Light Breakfast
The Delicate Squash — Vegan, Gluten Free, Baked Goods
Founded by Shannon English, The Delicate Squash was born out of a desire to connect over nourishing food and provide gentler baked good options to the community. Shannon creates seasonal baked goods that leave you feeling cared for, connected, & at ease in your body. You can find the Delicate Squash offering up GF + DF granola and pastry box subscriptions, doing pop-ups in collaboration with local businesses, teaching seasonal cooking workshops, and selling products in spaces that value supporting local.
Barakah Coffee House — Coffee & Coconut Cake
Starting in 2013, the women entrepreneurs of the United Women of East Africa Support Team (UWEAST) formed self-sustaining groups to promote their community’s economic and social growth in San Diego County. The entrepreneurs formed Baraka and Bilal to offer unique, hand-crafted, delicious foods that can be prepared by request for any events seeking unique East African cuisine. In 2026 Barakah Coffee House was created to be a welcoming space that celebrates East African culture and brings the community together. More than a coffee shop, it also serves as a youth workforce development site where refugee and youth staff gain hands-on job experience, build confidence, and grow personally and professionally. Through coffee and connection, Barakah creates belonging, opportunity, and impact.
Remember to bring a reusable cup for your drink!
12—2pm | Lunch
The Plot — Plant Based Lunch
theplotrestaurant.com | theplotgardenproject.com
The Plot is a South Oceanside restaurant reimagining vegan cuisine and zero waste menu design to celebrate flavor, texture, sustainability. Founded in January 2020 by the husband-and-wife team Jessica and Chef Davin Waite, the restaurant brings an eco-conscious model to the table with a plant-based, zero-waste approach, focusing on the total utilization of fresh, boundary-bending homegrown ingredients. They source from their on-site regenerative garden and local producers, and most recently launched their nonprofit The Plot Garden Project, a streetside urban garden providing fresh produce to their neighbors.
Lunch Menu
Fall Primavera Salad (Vegan and GF)
three beans, butternut squash, sweet peppers, radicchio, cucumber, sea beans, pepitas, shio koji orange vinaigrette
BLT (Vegan)
focaccia, lentil bacon, heirloom tomato, crisp lettuce, truffle aioli
served with hummus + crudités
OR
Teriyaki Spam Bowl (GF)
crispy rice, red lentil spam, house kimchi, sea beans, grilled garlic kale, napa cabbage
Iced tea, lemonade, water and fresh fruit.
4—5pm | Post-Event Mixer
Super Cocina — Appetizers
Super Cocina is a beloved, family-owned restaurant in City Heights known for serving authentic, home-style Mexican comfort food and guisados (regional stews). Founded in 1988, the restaurant celebrates the diverse, regional home-style cooking of Mexico, employing skilled home cooks to prepare dishes using their own multi-generational family recipes. The restaurant is an anchor in City Heights, actively supporting local food justice initiatives, community programs, and small business networks.
Fayal Fisheries — Local Fish
getlocalfish.com/member-profile/forrest-bogue
Fayal Fisheries was founded 2024 by Forrest Bogue, named in honor of his family who emigrated from the Azores Islands off Portugal onboard whaling ships of yesteryear. Fayal Fisheries prioritizes fishing sustainably and provides quality seafood to local community-based platforms or through wholesale businesses. Forrest is passionate about maintaining a valuable ecosystem and caring for every fish that comes over the rail, primarily fishing by hook and line gear. These methods of fishing allow operations to target specific species of fish all while being able to release undesirable catch quickly and efficiently back to the ocean unharmed.
Paramount Fish Co. — Local Fish
Paramount Fish Co. is a family-owned commercial fishing business on a mission to bring fresh, responsibly caught seafood directly from local waters to San Diego communities. Founded and operated by local commercial fisherman Darian Schramm, Paramount harvests a diverse range of seasonal species using sustainable fishing practices like targeted traps and pots. Through direct community-supported fisheries, food bank partnerships, and local markets, Paramount Fish Co. works to keep San Diego's fish market transparent, local, and within reach for all.
