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Mission: Cityseed's mission is to engage the community in growing an equitable, local food system that supports economic development, community development, and sustainable agriculture. We aim to accomplish this through a suite of food-based programs, including: improving access to fresh, healthy food through coordinating and managing a network of farmers markets and a mobile market with options for all income levels; providing cooking and nutrition education, with a focus on cultural relevance and maximizing snap benefits; offering food-based business incubation services and supporting small-scale food entrepreneurs; and supporting intercultural exchange through cooking classes and supper clubs led by refugee and immigrant chefs as part of our sanctuary kitchen program.
Programs: Farmers markets and mobile market: our nationally recognized farmers market bring local food to those who need it most, while supporting farmers who sell what they grow. In 2017, just under two million dollars in market sales contributed to job creation. Farmers redeemed over $12,000 in snap, and almost $10,000 in double value coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, they redeemed almost $16,000 in wic farmers market nutrition program coupons.
cooking and nutrition education: we carried out over 45 cooking classes with snap recipients, patients with chronic disease, and the general new haven community on healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate family cooking.
food business incubation services: in 2017, we worked with over 35 local chefs and food entrepreneurs to provide business training, commercial kitchen space at an affordable rate for product development and menu testing, opportunities to lead cooking demos and classes, and connections to clients through catering opportunities and farmers markets.