Programs

Food Business Incubator

Food businesses have traditionally been a way for immigrants and low-income families to gain a foothold in the economy, but many chefs face barriers to starting a business. Our Food Business Incubator supported entrepreneurs–primarily women, immigrants, and people from communities of color–in launching financially stable businesses by providing:

• affordable access to a commercial kitchen and retail space;
• food industry technical assistance designed to improve business operations, marketing, and ability to scale; and
• access to new market opportunities.

Spice Bridge

Spice Bridge was home to our Food Business Incubator. It provided businesses with space and support, including affordable access to a licensed commercial kitchen and professional equipment. The Tukwila facility featured four cook stations, four food retail stalls, and a dining area.

The food hall also provided a community hub—a welcoming space where people gathered to learn about and celebrate our community’s rich traditions. Spice Bridge showcased artworks made by local youths, and hosted public gatherings like community poetry readings and artisan craft markets.

Food Access and Tukwila Village Farmers Market

Improving food access was central to our work. In partnership with local organizations, FIN provided weekly meals to seniors, teens, and other community members with low incomes. This program met community needs with no-cost meals that were healthy, locally produced, and culturally relevant. It also supported the local chefs and entrepreneurs who prepared the meals.

FIN operated the weekly Tukwila Village Farmers Market from June to October. The market featured fresh produce grown by refugees and immigrants in our community. Most sales were made through food security program benefits, such as SNAP, Market Match, and WIC.

Physical activity programs

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is our strength, balance and fitness program for adults 65 and older. Performing exercises that improve strength, balance and fitness is the single most important activity adults can do to stay active and reduce their chances of falling. We offered these classes in both English and Somali. They were held in a location convenient to a senior housing community at Tukwila Village, and at Tukwila Community Center. We partnered with Sound Generations and CIRC/SHAG senior housing to offer this program.

Primary care coordination and resource connection

Through our partnership with HealthPoint‘s SeaTac and Tukwila clinics, CHWs helped patients navigate the health system. This support addressed social and language barriers that prevented patients from getting needed care. CHWs assisted patients with medical appointments, insurance, and referral coordination. They also provided connections to food, transportation, housing, and other resources.

We also partnered with the Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac to provide connections and referrals to social services, particularly for clients managing diabetes and hypertension. The YMCA referred clients to us who needed clinical support to manage these conditions. Our staff helped enroll G2L clients in the YMCA’s diabetes prevention program.

Advocacy & Systems Change

Community leadership drove Global to Local’s advocacy and systems change work. We focused on:

• elevating issues and equity solutions that most affect immigrant and communities of color in South King County;
• engaging with governments to amplify community voices in policy making and local planning processes; and
• convening local partners to collaborate on systems change efforts.

As a change agent representing local communities, Global to Local lent a powerful voice as a member of the King County Climate Equity Community Task Force.