alleviate hunger and create food sufficiency for low-income households

  

Community Food Connections


Community Food Connections is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization established in 2002 whose mission it is to grow strong communities, healthy food, healthy families and healthy farms. We work to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas through expanding outlets for and production of local food. Our programs create jobs, support micro-enterprise development and build family self-sufficiency.

 

CFC has a successful track record including developing nutrition services at farmers markets statewide, a Farm to School Program and the Downtown Phoenix Public Market.  We developed the resources to bring the federal WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program to Arizona, as well as wireless point of sale terminals that can process food stamps at open-air markets. Our Farm to School program links local farmers with schools to improve the nutritional offerings in the cafeterias, often at low-income schools. This initiative not only improves the health of the children but creates new outlets for small local farmers who are struggling to make ends meet. 

 

This Good Food video was produced by Fourth Sector Consulting for the

WK Kellogg Foundation: click on the arrow below to play.

 

Our work includes:

  • Hunger Prevention through the Arizona Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, the EBT at Farmers' Market Project.  
  • Building self-reliant local and regional food systems with strategies that include  creating and offering on-going workshops to develop community leaders and community solutions to meet local food needs, develop infrastructure to support identified strengths and address gaps.
  • Creating and supporting local and regional economic and community development activities like the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and a pilot Farm to Cafeteria Program in order to improve overall quality of life and create healthier choices for Arizona households.

As you shop at a farmers' market this week you may meet up with an old acquaintance or make a new friend, try something new...or, taking a walk in your neighborhood you may also discover a community garden -  a place of many uses and seasons: besides fruits and vegetables, gardens grow relationships, creativity, and communication. They offer a place to enjoy the beauty and solace of nature even in the midst of an urban setting.

The market, the garden, the kitchen, the hearth, the dinner table, all build around la olla común (common pot) where food creates connections. Where smells, sounds, sights, and some of the best ideas are generated in a hundred daily ways.  Food - getting it, growing it, selling it, buying it, cooking it, eating it, making sure everyone has enough of it , just has its ways of bringing people together.  And where people come together there is community. Where there is community, individual ideas, dreams and strength connect and can be made even greater.


Phoenix 
Public Market

Urban Grocery and Wine Bar:

Tuesday - Thursday

11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

First Friday Sept. 3 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturdays

8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Open-Air:
Wednesdays
4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturdays
8 a.m. - Noon



What's Happening

Many thanks to all of you who visit the Market through rain and shine!

Your donation supports downtown's first local food grocery store. Located just adjacent to the current Market site, the Market Store increases your access to fresh, local products, add to the Market's visibility, and help us grow closer to our goal of establishing a permanent public market in the heart of our city.

With your donation to Community Food Connections and the Phoenix Public Market, you also are supporting local small businesses, independent artisans, and Arizona agriculture.

Your vote can help the Market!

The Power of Community – Phoenix Style!  Help create sustainable living practices in our community: Arizona Homegrown Solutions (AZHS) http://azhomegrownsolutions.ning.com/ has been selected as one of 41 finalists across the country for a chance to win $20,000 through a grant from Tom’s of Maine. The funds would allow AZHS to install 4 water harvesting cisterns at area non-profits, including the Phoenix Public Market. The grant would also provide green job training for underserved populations and free water harvesting classes for the public. 

There will be only five winners, chosen by popular demand. So AZHS needs YOUR help now please to vote once each day (on any internet devices you have access to!) until Sept 10th so they can win. Go HERE to vote: http://www.tomsofmaine.com/community-involvement/living-well/finalists-overview/poll and scroll down to Arizona Homegrown Solutions, Phoenix Arizona. Every vote counts and will help make sustainability more accessible for everyone.

Thank you! The Phoenix Public Market was voted Number 16 in the country - large market category thanks to you!

 

Your vote can help our vendors win too!

Two Phoenix-based food trucks are in the running for the next season of Food Network'shttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif "Great Food Truck Race." Truckin' Good Food and Short Leash Hotdogs are on the nomination list for the second season of the reality show. Fans can vote online at foodnetwork.com until Friday.

 

Hosted by Food Network personality Tyler Florence, the "Great Food Truck Race" pits seven food trucks against each other to cook their way across the country. During each episode, the teams that sell the most food move on, and the team that sells the least is eliminated. The winner receives $50,000.

 

Concerned about your eggs? Chile Acres, Dave the Eggman, One Windmill Farm, Golo Family Organic Farm, and Arizona Homegrown Solutions have fresh, cage-free eggs each week at their booth outdoors – you know the farmer, and they know their chickens!

 

In the Urban Grocery, the Market offers fresh, cage-free eggs from Conchita’s Farm in central Phoenix, as well as Hickman’s cage-free eggs from happy chickens in Central Valley, CA.

Wednesday Market: The first Wednesday in September market features Wei of Chocolate, Bread Basket Bakery, Dr. Hummus, the Tamale Store, Short Leash Dogs and our beautiful farm stalls: Arizona Homegrown Solutions’ Community Exchange Table, Horny Toad Farm, One Windmill Farm, Hungery Baer Troyer Poultry, and Hartill Enterprise’s Beefalo meat.

 

JOIN US First Friday, Sept. 3 in the Urban Grocery and Wine Bar for music by Acoustic Desert, 7  - 11 p.m.

 

Saturday Market: The Market welcomes the Somali Bantu Farm, with okra, squash and melons! And Addey Farm, with assorted melons grown on the Gila River reservation. Maya’s Farm has sweet pears from Carol Steele’s place up in Aravaipa. New this week also, Gigi’s Original Cobbler Factory brings fresh-baked peach cobbler! We welcome back Boothill Bronzeworks as well.

 

Need motivation to exercise this time of year? The weather's changing and the crowds are growing! Challenge yourself to join the Downtown Phoenix Fitness Walk / Jog every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. at Central and Pierce – south corner of the Market at Central Ave. It’s free and parking is free on the Market lot – east side of the alley. Bring water, friends and get more details at www.mileclubchallenge.com

Urban Grocery summer wine and beer specials:

Tuesday: buy 1 bottle, get 2nd bottle half price
Wednesday: $1 off 6 packs of beer (local and regional artisan beers available individually, 6-pack or build your own 6-pack)
Thursday: $1 off wine flights
Friday: 25% off 6 bottles of wine or more
Saturday: $2 off bottle of wine with purchase of artisan cheese plate
Sunday & Monday: closed
Everyday Recycling program: Bring in 12 empty wine bottles, receive $3 coupon to spend at the Market

Phoenix Permaculture Guild: Please check www.phoenixpermaculture.org for class location and more info.

Arizona Homegrown Solutions: Please visit http://azhomegrownsolutions.ning.com/ for upcoming events, interest and action groups.

 

Join us now on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PHXPublicMarket

and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/phoenixpublicmarket

 

» DMC Designs!   

 


 

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            Working to alleviate hunger and create food sufficiency for low-income
                      households through community and economic development

 
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