City Fresh creates and promotes a more healthy, vibrant, and equitable local food system.
Our Vision
City Fresh envisions a just, inclusive, thriving local food system that nourishes us all, sustains farmers in their stewardship of the land, and protects our soil and waterways.
We aim to ensure that all communities, especially those underserved, have access to nutritious, affordable food. We strive for a world where more farmers adopt biodiverse and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to healthier ecosystems. Our vision includes fostering strong, interconnected communities that support local farmers and understand the value of a sustainable food system. By prioritizing environmental stewardship and social equity, we aim to build a resilient food network that benefits everyone.
We will achieve this vision through several key initiatives. Our Farm Box program provides weekly deliveries of fresh produce to neighborhoods, making healthy food accessible and affordable. We are committed to paying farmers fairly, ensuring they can maintain their livelihoods while contributing to a robust local food economy. The Farmer Incubator program supports new and aspiring farmers by offering land, resources, and mentorship to help them succeed in sustainable farming. By combining these efforts, we aim to create a thriving community where fresh, nutritious food is available to all.
Our Values
Nutrition: We provide healthy foods all season long.
Community Building: Fresh Stops are managed by folks in the neighborhood.
Environmental Resilience: Investing in local foods is a long term solution to the climate crisis.
Social Equity: Tiered pricing means everyone can access nourishing foods.
Economic Justice: City Fresh shares pays farmers fairly and keeps dollars in our region.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
The block you live on is a more important factor in your health than any single other factor. One reason that there are such big disparities in Northeast Ohio, and the nation, is that easy and affordable access to healthy food is very limited in neighborhoods with high poverty rates. City Fresh takes aim at these challenges, establishing Fresh Stops in neighborhoods with low access to fresh food, seeking funding to help families afford fresh and local produce, and partnering with other organizations – like Produce Perks – to help our neighbors address health challenges based solely on where they live.
Community
Community building is central to our work. Storytelling, recipe sharing, cooperation & collaboration with volunteers and community partners, nutrition education, seasonal eating, and learning about culturally relevant foods all contribute to mutual aid between growers and eaters, home cooks and professional chefs, volunteers, staff, trustees, and other stakeholders.
