Community Vision and Genesis LA Convene 27 Groups to Address Capital and Capacity Barriers Faced by Community-Based & BIPOC-led Developers | June 23, 2022 Twenty-seven groups from across California convened in Fresno last week to advance locally-owned & controlled real estate, created by developers of color rooted in local communities across the state. The convening was part of California Community-Owned Real Estate program (CalCORE), a five-year state-wide initiative led by Community Vision and Genesis LA. CalCORE’s mission is to… Read More
Aedan Koji Kitchen- A space for nourishing food and community | June 2, 2022 Mariko Grady is the founder and owner of Aedan Koji Kitchen, which specializes in handcrafted fresh koji, an enzyme-rich ingredient that is the starter for food products like miso and amazake. In 2011, Mariko began selling her miso to raise funds for people who were impacted by the tsunami in Japan. The growing popularity of… Read More
California FreshWorks’ Social & Economic Impacts Report | September 23, 2021 The California FreshWorks’ Social and Economic Impacts 2018-2020 report, authored by Pacific Community Ventures, examines the development and implementation of California FreshWorks from 2018 through 2020. As administrators of FreshWorks, Community Vision took a community-centered approach to healthy food financing by listening to the ideas and solutions of local leaders who are working for an… Read More
Welcome Sabrina R. Kelley, Community Vision’s VP of External Relations | September 22, 2021 We are excited to welcome Sabrina R. Kelley as Community Vision’s Vice President of External Relations. In this newly created role, Sabrina will be the first member of our leadership team to be based out of Fresno and will lead our resource development, external relations, and impact measurement work. Read More
Community Facilities Challenge Becomes an Integrated Part of California State University, Fresno | March 29, 2021 Community Vision is pleased to announce that beginning this year California State University, Fresno will lead the Community Facilities Challenge (CFC). Community Vision’s initial idea for a CFC was brought to Fresno State because of their rich history in service-learning. The first CFC launched in 2012. Since that time, Community Vision has been partnered with… Read More
The Food Future is Here Podcast Series | February 12, 2021 Community Vision’s six-part podcast series “The Food Future is Here” is a powerful take on how the California FreshWorks community is changing the food system. The series, hosted by Leticia Corona, a small business advisor, and Ome Quetzal Lopez, a social commentator, centralizes the voices of BIPOC-owned small businesses and community-centered food system advocates. Together… Read More
Supporting Small Business Ecosystems in Fresno | January 28, 2021 In 2018, we began working with Miram Martinez, Founder and Owner of La Jacka Mobile. One of her long-term goals was to acquire a facility to expand her market reach and provide long-term stability for her business. It often takes several years for a small business to build up its capacity to purchase or lease a… Read More
Food for the People: Swift & Creative Responses Amidst COVID-19 | July 27, 2020 California’s food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that consists of many different types of businesses and organizations that grow, process, and distribute food across the state, country, and around the world. Ownership across the food system has seen decades of corporate consolidation, resulting in negative social and economic impacts. From seeds to land ownership… Read More
BLVD MRKT: Investing in Healthy Food & Economic Development in Montebello | May 26, 2020 For more than a year and a half, Gentefy engaged the community, including connecting with local elected officials, business owners, and by hosting roundtable discussions. After connecting with more than 250 people of various ages and ethnic backgrounds, it became clear that the community wanted places to go that create an experience; something more than… Read More
Key Findings from California FreshWorks’ First Program Evaluation | March 6, 2020 Community Vision administers the California FreshWorks program, a statewide network of CDFI lenders that provide financing to food enterprises that invest in an equitable food system and increase access to affordable, healthy, culturally-appropriate food in underserved communities. We approach food access not only as a health issue, but also a community development and equity issue. Read More