Hayward Tutors

About Hayward

Hayward, California, spent several decades in the twentieth century living up to the image and lifestyles written about by John Steinbeck in Cannery Row. The novel, which actually takes place in Monterey, romanticizes the working class and industry that was so foundational to California’s early boom in the national economy. Hayward, a city further north from Monterey, was an active participant in the canning industry for many years.

From the early 1900s through the 1980s, Hayward produced and shipped products for Hunt Brothers—now recognized as Hunt’s tomato brand, famous for ketchup. Hunt Brothers Cannery employed thousands, and stayed open for almost a century providing the United States with canned goods out of Hayward.

Today, canning and other industrial pursuits are not central features of Hayward’s local economy. However, modern Hayward still has a large number of manufacturing companies, both as corporate headquarters and some plants. This includes a few high-tech companies, with how close Hayward is to the famous Silicon Valley of California. Manufacturing plants in Hayward include Annabelle Candy, Columbus Salame, the Gillig bus company, Impax Laboratories, the Shasta soft drink company, and a PepsiCo production and distribution center.

One way that Hayward pays homage to its early days of canning is with the Historical Society’s Cannery Café. According to their website, “Here at the Cannery Cafe we believe in the power of community. To come together and share time, pleasant company, conversation and delicious food and drink. In July of 2014 Oakland based Blue Heron Catering’s Debbie Pfisterer and longtime Bay Area chef Jeff Rosen opened the Cannery Cafe here in the Hayward Area Historical Society museum to share their vision of community and soulful, honest cooking that featured the bounty of our wonderful Bay Area food shed.” The local pride in Cannery Café is only furthered by the fact that the establishment’s food is sourced locally, priced reasonably, and is a simple reminder of earlier days of the city. The values of community—especially espoused by the Historical Society’s ownership of the café—help bring residents together for a satisfying, healthy experience.

In days past, the residents of Hayward came together in manufacturing jobs. Today, they come together over brunch at the Cannery Café. They also come together in tutoring appointments. Grade Potential tutors help build the community values of Hayward with their hard work and dedication to their craft. Struggling students can rely on their tutors to help them turn grades around, and leave each session with confidence in themselves