Get to know us!

Curious about the work we do, how you can get involved, or what’s happening next? Check out some of these more commonly asked questions and you just might find your answer! If you’re still curious to learn more or can’t find your answer here - just drop us a line on our contact us page and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

  • Get involved! You can reach us by filling out the form on this site. That way, we’ll be able to keep you in the loop with the work we’re doing and let you know when we need extra support. Be sure to let us know if you live in Central Kinsman- We’re always looking for more community leaders to join the movement. 

    Curious to learn more? Just leave us a note on the website! You can sign up for more updates in the footer, but if you want to let us know something or ask us another question, we’ve got a full contact us page. You can also call us at 216.961.4646 ext 507.

  • Food apartheid is an acknowledgment that the food deserts we see in urban communities are by design. Redlining and present day food and agriculture policies make it so that healthy food is much harder to access and more expensive in Black and Brown communities.

  • Central and Kinsman are neighborhoods on Cleveland’s east side. They’ve been home to Black families for more than 100 years. These are communities that have faced disinvestment, redlining, and environmental racism—but they’re also home to incredible resilience, leadership, and history.

    Central is actually one of the oldest neighborhoods in Cleveland, and it's seen waves of migration, activism, and reinvention. Kinsman has deep roots in working-class Black culture and is where so many community-based solutions have taken shape—from urban farms to block clubs to healing spaces.

  • If you look around our website, you might see us reference Environmental Health Watch as an organizing non-profit a few times- they’re one of our oldest relationships and the partner we’ve worked closest with over the years. They’ve provided organization and logistical support, assisted with grants and funding, and help keep day to day operations moving forward.

  • A co-op is a business or organization owned by the people who work or shop there. Members help make decisions about the organization and share the profits of the business. Co-ops also operate by a set of cooperative principles, including one member one vote, and a commitment to benefitting the broader community, principles that differentiate a co-op from other types of businesses. Co-ops are a structure of organizing that help people work together to meet shared goals and aspirations.

  • A farm stop is a small store that connects people to the produce and products of local farmers and makers. An indoor market that is open normal store hours, it is like a cross between a farmers market, and a small grocery market. This model was created by Local Roots in Wooster, Ohio, and made popular by Argus Farm Stop in Ann Arbor Michigan. It is a business model that supports the local food economy, while creating opportunities for local healthy food access and community wealth building.

  • We officially became CKWC in 2023, have been working together to bring accessible groceries back to our community since 2018, and our roots go back even further. To learn about our full history, check out our timeline page here. It even has a look ahead into our future. 

  • We have a list of partner organizations that we work closest with - they're members of our steering committee and assist with decision making, leadership, and general support. 

    Currently, our organizational partners are Sisters of Charity Health System, Food Access Raises Everyone, Free Thinkers LLC, Cleveland Owns, Cleveland Fresh, Burten Bell Carr, Loiter, Cleveland Department of Public Health, and MetroHealth.