Community Food Connections

 Aug 22 - Cindy Gentry, Executive Director of Community Food Connections, (CFC) brought us up to date on the history, goals, and accomplishments of her organization. CFC is constantly working to nurture local food production, distribution and access capacities, and to support local farmers' markets. Their long term goal is to create a permanent indoor/outdoor public market. The first step in this direction in the opening of the Phoenix Market Urban Grocery and Wine Bar along with two Open-Air Market days. Cindy described the project, (objectives, business plan, and research) and then explained the difference between this and an Outdoor market. She provided us with several impressive milestones that have been accomplished since the project began in 2005. This project is bringing jobs, tax revenues, valued services, and a strong image to the city of Phoenix. The next steps include strengthening the Urban Grocery and Wine Bar and working toward a permanent indoor / outdoor public market.