Hi, I’m Brandon Pellerin. I’m a social entrepreneur and community advocate in New Orleans, and my work is all about connecting people to resources, culture, and opportunity. I started young, digging in a local community garden at 14, sharing fresh produce with neighbors, and inspiring other kids to join me. That early experience taught me that real change starts at the grassroots level, and that community-driven solutions are the most powerful.
That drive led me to start Harvest NOLA, a food security initiative designed to bring fresh farm goods directly to families in neighborhoods across the city. From mobile farmers markets to school programs where kids act as vendors, we teach responsibility, teamwork, and decision-making while giving families access to healthy food. It’s about more than produce—it’s about education, empowerment, and creating opportunities that strengthen the fabric of our communities.
I also founded Calas Cafe, which honors New Orleans’ culinary history rooted in the resilience of West African people brought here during slavery. The dishes we serve celebrate a heritage often overlooked, from the women who sold calas on the streets to support their families, to the traditions that kept these foods alive through generations. By connecting food to culture and history, Calas Cafe becomes more than a restaurant—it’s a place where community, identity, and heritage meet.
To me, being American means showing up for your neighbors, preserving culture, and building systems that lift people up. Through Harvest NOLA and Calas Cafe, I continue to listen, adapt, and innovate so that every initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also honors the history and resilience of our city. Real change happens when communities lead, and I’m proud to be on the front lines helping make that possible.
That drive led me to start Harvest NOLA, a food security initiative designed to bring fresh farm goods directly to families in neighborhoods across the city. From mobile farmers markets to school programs where kids act as vendors, we teach responsibility, teamwork, and decision-making while giving families access to healthy food. It’s about more than produce—it’s about education, empowerment, and creating opportunities that strengthen the fabric of our communities.
I also founded Calas Cafe, which honors New Orleans’ culinary history rooted in the resilience of West African people brought here during slavery. The dishes we serve celebrate a heritage often overlooked, from the women who sold calas on the streets to support their families, to the traditions that kept these foods alive through generations. By connecting food to culture and history, Calas Cafe becomes more than a restaurant—it’s a place where community, identity, and heritage meet.
To me, being American means showing up for your neighbors, preserving culture, and building systems that lift people up. Through Harvest NOLA and Calas Cafe, I continue to listen, adapt, and innovate so that every initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also honors the history and resilience of our city. Real change happens when communities lead, and I’m proud to be on the front lines helping make that possible.
