grow the programs

Cultivating community-powered business programs locally rooted and built to last

powering
a local economy

Rooted in our region’s farmworker legacy, we strive to remain a trusted food systems leader.

A person operating a red tractor in a vegetable garden with organized rows of leafy greens, surrounded by trees, houses, and a cloudy sky.

the challenge

East San José faces fundamental barriers to adequate nutrition access, economic opportunity, and community wealth. Historic exclusionary disinvestment in East San José has created conditions that keep our residents at a higher rate of chronic stress. Farmers struggle to earn a living wage, and food businesses are locked out of local markets dominated by large-scale extractive systems.

our belief

When a neighborhood controls how its food is grown, shared, and sold, its path to self-determination is restored. The community is nourished, local livelihoods thrive, and resources stay local.

growing with
intention

We connect our farmers and producers with institutional buyers to develop local infrastructure that benefits everyone.

Fresh vegetables including green onions, broccoli, and yellow peppers displayed in a market or grocery store.
VISIT THE FARM STAND

our initiatives

access

We provide the education and pathways to true food sovereignty—developing infrastructure designed by, with, and for the community to expand market access.

  • Our Resident Advocacy Committee (RAC) members provide insight on Santa Clara’s food system and guidance to local PHD programs, including those outlined in its Workplan. Additionally, RAC members participate in regular emergency preparedness training.

  • 13,500+ free CSA boxes distributed from produce sourced from local BIPOC farms

    150+ families served weekly with fresh produce from our Del Campo a la Mesa (CALM) program and onsite Farm Stand

    1,000+ residents served through the dedication of over 1,250 volunteers maintaining our fields and packing farm boxes

livelihoods

We turn family recipes and farm knowledge into shared wealth through our training programs; empowering entrepreneurs to build sustainably for the long term.

    • Fuerza Communitaria : Composed of graduates from our food incubator program, Fuerza Communitaria advocates for fair business conditions. Together with our Community Organizing Specialist, they bring the community's voice directly to local decision-makers.

    • Si Se Puede Collective

  • Our Affordable Business Campaign lowers business costs with 50 entrepreneurs

    Our Circular Kitchen program helps entrepreneurs mitigate catering equipment rentals at below-market prices

  • We reinvested $850,000
to sixteen farms

    We helped launch 16 small food businesses in the last 5 years

    We support program graduates with ongoing assistance to grow their business

    • We helped launch 16 small food businesses in the last 5 years

    • We support program graduates with ongoing assistance to grow their business