In a significant stride toward supporting Fresno's mobile food vendors, the nonprofit organization Cultiva La Salud, an F3 partner, is set to establish a commercial community kitchen located at 620 N. Fresno Street in Central Fresno. The kitchen aims to provide a fully equipped space where vendors can prepare food in compliance with health regulations, thereby enhancing their operational efficiency and business growth.
On October 28th, 2024, the City of Fresno and Cultiva held a joint press conference at the future site of the kitchen (pictured below), and on Thursday, November 1st, the Fresno City Council approved a $700,000 grant agreement with Cultiva La Salud to fund the development of this community kitchen. The grant funding is sourced from American Rescue Plan funds, and additional F3 funding could help subsidize some of the charges for vendors to use the kitchen.
This kitchen is particularly significant for mobile food vendors who have faced challenges in accessing safe, affordable, and compliant spaces for food preparation.
“Our street food vendors are very dear to me,” said Genoveva Islas, Executive Director of Cultiva La Salud in this news article. “They’re lucky if they can sell $100, maybe $300 in a day. These are not vendors that are selling hundreds of thousands in an afternoon being out. So being able to pay for a commercial space often becomes a challenge. We want to invite them here.”
The vision for the kitchen includes plans for stoves, cooktops, tables, a three-compartment sink, and walk-in freezer and refrigerator. The more than 4,000-square-foot facility will also house office space for Cultiva La Salud, creating a comprehensive resource hub for vendors.
Learn more about Cultiva La Salud at cultivalasalud.org, and see below for local news stories related to the planned commercial kitchen:
Fresno’s mobile food vendor community could get a big financial boost from the city this week (Fresnoland)
New community kitchen could come to Downtown Fresno (YourCentralValley.com)
City of Fresno to approve grant money for nonprofit Cultiva la Salud (ABC30.com)

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