This grant application is to fund the creation and implementation of an equitable communication plan for La Fresca. This plan will strengthen the connectedness and enhance the sense of belonging of all GES communities by helping to support an open flow of information within the local food system.

La Fresca is grounded in the GES communities with the main mission focus on achieving an equitable, healthy, and cost-effective local food community. Another component of the work and specifically this communication plan, is in supporting building capacity within the community in other areas as well. The plan is to contract with a GES community member who is a technology professional; not only does this provide the technological expertise that is needed for the implementation of the communication plan, it also layers on the element of cultural awareness and community alignment to the technology aspects.

Being a community member brings a deeper appreciation of La Fresca’s work and the possibility of how the website can serve as an educational and resource hub. By contracting locally, this funding stays within the GES communities and also supports the La Fresca work. A training component within the technology contract serves to enhance the existing skill sets and builds on the knowledge of the La Fresca Steering Committee. It is also possible that the network of businesses can utilize the website to market and promote themselves in the future.