FG2T Ends Long-Standing relationship with Mechanics Bank®, California

SAN FRANCISCO - July 15, 2021 - PRLog -- From the Garden to The Table^® announces that it ceasing its business operations with Mechanics Bank of California due to a videoed incident that occurred on June 10, 2021 (https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.moon.372/videos/1883277048506590).  This interaction occurred when the "CEO" of one of FG2T's minority-owned contractors attempted to cash a check, written to him and drawn on FG2t's Mechanics Bank account.

The Video shows that our client (a middle-aged professionally dressed Black Man) presented the check at the Mechanics Bank Branch with his proper identification.  He was immediately questioned about the authenticity of the Check and from his statements was even asked "if he wrote the check himself?".  He requested "The Manager".  The  Branch Vice President and Office Manager (Ms. Martha Cifuentes) did not want to deal with this matter and exited the building. The banks' tellers continued to nuisance and harass our client while failing to cash the "Business Check" we properly endorsed with adequate funds available in our accounts.

FG2T's CEO, Mr. Jeffrey Smith contacted Ms. Cifuentes directly.   Ms. Cifuentes stated that it was the Bank's Policy to dishonor checks from non-customers despite this check being a Commercial Check written on an account at their bank.  Mr. Smith stated that "We conduct business with vendors of all races and creeds.  Many of those vendors chose to cash payroll or Contractors Payments at the bank directly, and we have not had a problem with this bank before this incident."  After Mr. Smith did not receive an adequate explanation of this event from Ms. Cifuentes, he alerted and advised the Banks' Chief Operating Officer (Mr. Chris Pierce) by mail on June 22, 2021.  Mr. Smith specifically requested an opportunity to sit down with Mr. Pierce to discuss this event and gain Mr. Pierces' assurance that situations of this type will not happen again.  As of this writing Mr. Pierce has "NOT" responded to our written request.

About - From the Garden to the Table,
From the Garden to The Table^® is a California Minority-Owned Designated Non-Profit Organization.  The organization was founded to reach out to Communities with low income that are faced with climbing rates of Childhood and Senior - Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Other Chronic Diseases. The model of "Eat and Live Green" is at the forefront of the FG2T programs.   FG2T focuses on Growing, Preparing, and Eating Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.