El Pájaro CDC Welcomes and Celebrates Partnership with Staff of Life El Pájaro CDC is a non-profit organization that offers culturally relevant services to underserved and underrepresented entrepreneurs throughout the Central Coast.
Watsonville, CA, May 19, 2021 — In recognition of the recent inauguration of the Staff of Life Natural Foods Market in Watsonville, El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (El Pájaro CDC) is excited to welcome them and continue a partnership that benefits several small businesses in our community! El Pájaro CDC is a non-profit organization that offers culturally relevant services to underserved and underrepresented entrepreneurs throughout the Central Coast. We support our clients in launching their businesses and developing their brands by providing no-cost information, training, resources, and business loans. Now, in collaboration with Staff of Life, we are working to take our clients’ small businesses to the next level by opening the door to a wider market that allows them to sell their products at a larger scale. About Staff of Life Natural Foods Market In 1969 Gary Bascou and Richard Josephson founded Staff of Life Bakery in the Santa Cruz, CA area. Their goal was to make nourishing and natural old world-style bread as a healthy alternative to the highly processed and chemical-laden bread that dominated the market. At the time there was no clear definition of “organic” but Gary and Richard sought out the best ingredients that aligned with their principles. They found wheat from family farms that were still practicing traditional agricultural methods that were pesticide-free and healthy for both individuals and the planet: essentially the principles of what is now considered organic farming. Over time the bakery grew into Staff of Life Natural Foods Market and helped create and fuel a natural foods and organic movement that is now widely accepted, all while maintaining their principles and tradition of working with regional producers and local family farms to provide the best quality products.