Hella Nuts

Chef Mieko is the Founder of Imagine That Kids, and Co-founder of Hella Nuts Plant-Based Cafe. In 2013, Mieko was KQED Black History Month Local Hero. Mieko ran for Oakland Unified School Board in 2014 her passion for children and education helped her create activities that enforce educationally appropriate curriculum for children, their families, and local communities. She implemented self-run school kitchens within two OUSD schools. Chef Kami is the other Co-founder of Hella Nuts. In high school she served as chair of the Oakland Youth Commission. While being chair, her team created policies for liquor stores to serve fresh, healthy food in the food deserts within Oakland. Kami studied Agriculture Business at Louisiana State University, where she started the first garden at local Charter school. She began traveling young and within her journey she has experienced various cultures cuisines. These experiences have influenced her passion for flavors and can be tasted in her cooking today. She is passionate about creating easier access to organic food in urban communities of color. In 2018, they started their plant-based journey. After realizing that the supermarket vegan food was just vegan junk food, they knew there needed to be a better option. No chemicals, no fillers—just natural ingredients. So they started Hella Nuts™