Connecting communities to land, food & opportunity

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Check out the Alchemist Kitchen Holiday Gift Guide! These Sacramento-made gifts delight and make a difference. All businesses included in this gift guide are participants of the Alchemist Kitchen program.

Alchemist CDC is a mission-driven organization that connects Sacramento area communities to land, food, and opportunity toward a vision in which all neighborhoods are vibrant, equitable, healthy, and diverse.

We are best known for enhancing the quality of life in under-resourced communities by improving access to nutritious foods, implementing community-supported public green spaces, and fostering economic self-sufficiency through business entrepreneurship.

Recognizing that residents often have the best ideas for improving their neighborhoods and city, we see ourselves as providing a sort of community laboratory. We are committed to creativity and are constantly experimenting with new projects and ideas. Those projects that prove impactful and sustainable may go on to grow into mature programs, whereas others become valuable learning experiences. In every case, we serve as a catalyst for change.

CalFresh at Farmers’ Markets

Alchemist CDC facilitates the use of CalFresh (previously known as Food Stamps) at farmers’ markets

Market Match

CalFresh customers can receive matching incentive funds for using their benefits at farmers’ markets

Apply for CalFresh

Resources and information on how to apply to receive CalFresh.

Alchemist Kitchen

A food business incubator serving under-resourced entrepreneurs

Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA)

A 12-week program teaching the fundamentals of starting and growing a food business

Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP)

An intensive and highly personalized program to develop food businesses

Pansy Community Park & Garden

Converting a vacant lot into a garden park based on resident input

Oak Park Art Garden

Making creative space at a formerly vacant lot in Oak Park

Oak Park Sol Community Garden

A community garden to grow food, demonstrate sustainable practices, share knowledge and build community

Market Match Dollars Distributed in 2022

Businesses Graduated from Alchemist Microenterprise Academy

CalFresh Transactions in 2022

"[Market Match] is the best thing ever. I only get $15/month [in CalFresh benefits] but I spend it all here- I get one and a half times my money and it’s all healthy stuff. You don’t have to be wealthy to eat well!"

– Janet, Market Match customer

"Feeding a family with $100 is so much more realistic, less stressful, and I can buy quality foods with that. The farmers’ market is a testament to that — I’m just amazingly grateful that that’s even an option for us"

– Rachel, CalFresh customer

“The Alchemist Kitchen programs have helped me launch an idea into a full blown business! Not only does Alchemist Microenterprise Academy take the baby steps with you and your company, but they also celebrate the huge triumphs your business makes! These programs are definitely part of the foundation of my sauce business.”

Jasmine Bonilla. Owner and Founder at Jazz’s Saucy Sauce.

"CalFresh acceptance at farmers' markets allows access to healthy foods that is missing in so many of my patients' diets. For those patients especially struggling with their weight, diabetes, or heart disease, I make them aware of this important community asset that Alchemist CDC provides."

– Rachel Hollander, MD

"I highly recommend Alchemist Microenterprise Academy to anyone who's dreamed of opening a food business but doesn't know where to start! It's great to meet people who love food and want to engage their community through food. The class really helped me take my food business idea from a concept to a plan."

-AMA Graduate

"We would have been lost without Alchemist Microenterprise Academy, it put us at least a year ahead of where we thought we would be!”

-AMA Graduate

“The Alchemist Microenterprise Academy and Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program have provided me with the right tools to begin my catering business. Not only have they empowered us with the knowledge of professionals and guest speakers in their fields, but their one-on-one mentorship has had an invaluable impact on my career and success to date!”

Jennifer Romero. Owner / Chef at Hooked on Paella