SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The Midtown Association is proud to announce three “Street Food Sacramento” grant recipients selected as part of a new program designed to celebrate and amplify Sacramento’s diverse street food culture while also reducing entry barriers of historically underrepresented populations. Among other valuable benefits, the recipients will have the opportunity to participate as vendors in the thriving Midtown Farmers Market and Wednesdays at Winn evening market for an entire year, starting as early as November 2020. The approximate value for each of the “Street Food Sacramento” grants is $11,250 per food business.

The 2020 “Street Food Sacramento” grant awardees include the following:   

·       Christopher Boone Argyros of Boone’s Red Onions that features delectable, pickled onions;

·       Celine Callejon of Épicée that showcases flavorful and spicy Puerto Rican hot sauces;

·       Carla Vazquez of La Minerva that highlights drowned tortas, berria quesadillas, Tejuino (cold              fermented corn drink), pork leg tortas, fried potato taco, basket tacos, stew tacos, and fried                  quesadillas.

“’Street Food Sacramento’ will bring new faces and flavors to our city while offering budding entrepreneurs the open doors they need,” said Proprietor & Chef Patrick Mulvaney who served on the grantee selection committee. “’Street Food Sacramento’ exposes the region to brand new flavors and brings new – and underrepresented – voices into our Farm-to-Fork palette. The young entrepreneurs who applied will bring new life and options to our food scene. Like our new generation of chefs and restaurateurs, I am confident they will lead us to a bright, and tasty food future."

In addition to coveted booth space at the two popular Midtown markets, the “Street Food Sacramento” grant package also includes infrastructure to use at their booths (including a tent and tables), marketing support (logo, business cards, menu design and printing), support with event insurance, startup funds to purchase products, and social media support (guidance on how to use an existing profile more efficiently or in the creation of a profile). Participants will also have access to technical assistance, including a mentor and workshops, through the Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, starting at month six of the grant term.

“As a lifelong Sacramentan and an adventurous foodie, I am thrilled to help the Midtown Association bring greater diversity and new entrepreneurs to our local markets,” said Monica Hernandez of Sacramento Area Council of Governments, who also served on the grant selection committee. “And, as someone whose day job is working to help communities connect and thrive more equitably, I know that the access to opportunity designed specifically for communities of color, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA are critical pathways to success and inclusion. The expertise offered by these ‘Street Food Sacramento’ grants are the practical supports needed to help these businesses and communities grow and thrive. I am happy to be part of this pilot program and look forward to supporting the awardees and the program in the future.”

This program is made possible with invaluable guidance and support provided by a team of community leaders. Technical assistance partners include Alchemist CDC, Franklin Neighborhood Development Corporation, and the Capital Region SBDC. The grantee selection committee includes representatives from the following community-minded local businesses and organizations: Good Vibes Vegan Cafe & Herbs, Mulvaney’s B&L, Patrick Harbison Public Relations, Raley’s, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna’s office and the Capital Region SBDC. 

The Midtown Farmers Market and Wednesdays at Winn are owned and managed by the Midtown Association with more information available at www.midtownfarmersmarketsac.com and  www.wednesdaysatwinn.com.

Midtown Sacramento is walkable and bike/scooter/car-share friendly with plenty of parking available in nearby garages located at 1801 L Street or the East End Garage on 17^th Street between L & Capitol, valet parking in the Handle District plus various lots throughout Midtown. For additional transportation information, visit www.easeintomidtown.com. For more information about Midtown Sacramento in general, please visit www.exploremidtown.org or follow on social media – Facebook at www.facebook.com/exploremidtown/ and @ExploreMidtown on Instagram and Twitter.

Midtown Association: The mission of the Midtown Association (MA) is to create a center for culture, creativity, and vibrancy in Sacramento’s urban core. For more information about MA, call 916-442-1500 or visit www.exploremidtown.org.