Chefs working to start their own businesses

Economic Development Initiatives

crowd about to eat tamales at an event

Mama's Merging Markets

Mama’s Tamale Markets are temporary and permanent markets that help transform businesses, community centers, neighborhoods, parks, sidewalks, streets, and other public and private spaces into family, fun, and festive places where art, food, music, and recreation blend together and create vital and vibrant social and educational experiences for all ages.

shoppers and food trucks

Vital Economic and Neighborhood Development

Vital Economic and Neighborhood Development facilitates neighborhood economic revitalization by creating viable employment and income generating opportunities through the development of successful worker-owned, small business enterprises.

chef in kitchen

Coffee with a Cause

Coffee with a Cause provides youth with knowledge, skills, and service competencies through classroom training, hands-on-training, and employment opportunities within the food and beverage service industry that are supported by local hospitable communities.