Mangoes have been cultivated for over 4,000 years and are revered as spiritually significant and culturally celebrated, especially on the Indian subcontinent. In the Bay Area, many people have access to lower-quality mangoes, but a group of San Franciscans of Indian descent is working to change that. Darshil Patel hosts a grassroots mango party in the Mission with co-organizers, offering hundreds of Indian Alphonso and Kesar mangoes for free. Volunteers peel and slice fruit on site to preserve quality. Attendees share mango desserts, receive themed shirts, and enjoy games and music. The event grew from a small gathering of friends into a larger community celebration supported by sponsors, with about 250 expected attendees.
"For mango lovers, the day has come. Hundreds of Indian Alphonso and Kesar mangoes will be distributed for free, as volunteers peel and slice the fruit on the spot. (Pre-cutting degrades quality.)"
"At last year's edition, some attendees brought mango desserts, like mango sticky rice and mango sablée tartlets, to share with the group. Partygoers picked up free "Mango Tango" T-shirts and joined spikeball games while a DJ performed. Sunday's party should be another wholesome event. Last year, a toddler tried her very first mango."
"What began as a casual meeting of eight friends sharing a box of mangoes in 2023 has ballooned into an hours-long extravaganza backed by silent sponsors, who help cover the cost of the mangoes. Roughly 250 people are expected to attend this year."
"It started in 2024, when Patel tweeted about throwing a mango party to gauge public interest. The response was overwhelming, as dozens of mango lovers replied, expressing their curiosity about Indian varieties or, in many cases, their longing for a taste of home."
Read at Kqed
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