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.

Friday

11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturdays

8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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

Saturdays
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Inside Phoenix :: 
Expansion Plans for the Market
View New Video play video
play with Windows Media Player,
if needed
download Windows Media Player here

Video provided courtesy

City of Phoenix Public
Information Office

Phoenix Channel 11

www.phoenix.gov/11


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.

NEW STORE HOURS: Starting March 5 (this Friday) the Phoenix Urban Grocery Store will be open FRIDAY and SATURDAY evenings till 11 p.m.! Join us this Friday for live music by John Diaz, starting at 7 p.m.

 

Wednesday Market: Enjoy samples of Vegetas’ salsas and chips and Kay Weldon’s tangy spicy sauces inside the Market Store. Outside, Gateaux ZoZo has some beautiful French pastry, and the fresh greens and herbs of the season continue to astound – visit our Market farm stalls: One Windmill Farm, Maya’s Farm and Arizona Homegrown Solutions. Double Check Ranch brings their pasture raised beef, Dry Bay Fish Co. brings the wild-caught salmon!  

 

Saturday Market – Market music is by Ron Bowen.

 

Plants galore - Seacat Gardens will bring the first of their ‘saved seed’ French Charentais melon starts from last fall’s planting, along with tomatoes, tomato plants, Italian lettuce mix and other assorted veggies. Dos Arbolitos is back with plants, A-Z AZ Tomatoes, Simon’s Garden and Eden West (in Pierce St.) have plenty of veggie, herb and flower starts for your spring garden.

 

Sat. March 6, 2pm – 3pm - in the Market Store (map): Thomas Jefferson Hour - more details »

Listen to the "Thomas Jefferson Hour" podcast every Saturday after the Farmers' Market

with a group of fellow citizens interested in the issues of the day.

Coming up:

Arizona Ag Day – Saturday, March 6 – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N 59th Avenue, Glendale, http://www.azagday.com/ - Arizona Farmers and Ranchers Feed Families!

 

Devoured Phoenix - March 13th and 14th at the Phoenix Art Museum, featuring Phoenix eateries, fine wines, and fine art. Headed up by Devour Phoenix and Local First Arizona, this event is put on to promote local Arizona producers of fine food and drink to further show that Phoenix is a top international dining destination.  The museum’s Dorrance Sculpture garden will be the scene for the over 40 food, wine, and beer showcases.  Also, in the museum’s Great Hall, there will be live interactive food seminars, farm to table presentations, wine pairing, beer pairing and top nutritional experts sharing their secrets with you on stage! 

To purchase tickets please click here or call 1.866.977.6849.  Tickets are $65. per day advance purchase or $90 for both days.

Real Gardens for Real People Self-Guided Tour 2010 - Saturday March 13, 9 AM - 4 PM, Central Phoenix; Cost: $ 20.00 per person (children under 12 free). Tickets and info online at www.maricopamastergardener.com/gardentour. Visit the homes of certified Master Gardeners who use the principles of environmentally responsible methods of placing, cultivating and maintaining plants in the low desert. Publications and garden experts will be available to answer questions.

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


 

» Absolutely Delightful: local honey and bee pollen  

 


 

Top of Community Food ConnectionsTop of Page
            Working to alleviate hunger and create food sufficiency for low-income
                      households through community and economic development

 
Copyright © 2006 - 2007  www.foodconnect.org All Rights Reserved. website: www.qmediagroup.com