Douglas Receives Grant for Community Kitchen Initiative

DOUGLAS — An idea to build a community kitchen that would promote entrepreneurship and small business development is cooking in Douglas.

At Wednesday night's City Council meeting council members voted unanimously to pass a resolution accepting a $25,000 grant that would help the city purchase kitchen equipment and complete a consulting program geared towards the project.

Officials are hoping that such an endeavor "will serve as a hub for food entrepreneurship and small business development."

The grant, given to the municipality by Arizona Complete Health, a health insurance provider that offers integrated plans for various populations in Arizona, will also help the city pay the $15,000 consultation package provided by Local First Arizona.

Mining company Freeport McMoRan also gave the city $5,000 toward the consultation package.

Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva said the community kitchen could be set up inside the break room at the municipality's old call center. The latter also will house the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas and possibly a community center.

Community kitchens are shared spaces where groups of people regularly gather to cook and share meals, often focusing on healthy, affordable food. They serve multiple purposes, including helping individuals learn cooking skills, reducing food insecurity and social isolation, and fostering social connections. Community kitchens can also be job training programs or provide meals for those in need, such as homeless people or seniors.

Douglas is partnering with Local First Arizona which provided the consulting package under the organization's Director of Food Entrepreneurship, a memo by Douglas Grants Coordinator Daritza Villalobos shows.

"This initiative aligns with the city's goals to promote economic development, support small businesses, and enhance community resources." Villalobos said.

The consulting program by Local First Arizona will be for six months and will include a "customized Kitchen in a Box," Villalobos said. A Kitchen in a Box is tailored to Douglas' needs and "draws from successful incubator kitchen models across Arizona."

The consulting package includes:

* A full site audit and evaluation of proposed kitchen facilities.

* Recommendations for equipment, design, renovation, and build-out.

* Consultation with city building maintenance and civil engineers.

* Community engagement through surveys, meetings, and conversations to assess interest and needs.

* Development of an entrepreneurial recruitment system and operations.

* A detailed list of equipment needs, design suggestions, and budget estimates.

* One-on-one mentorship to identify funding streams, including grant support through Local First's Arizona Economic Resource Center.

Establishing the community kitchen, Villalobos said, "aligns with the city's goals to promote public health, economic opportunities, and community engagement."