Springfield, Massachusetts

Healthy, affordable food
within walking distance of every urban neighbor.

City Sprout combats food insecure and health-challenged communities in urban areas through innovative, educational, cost-effective, and duplicable urban food networks.

Western MA has 76,253 food insecure individuals Springfield alone accounts for nearly 30% of that total
Support City Sprout How the model works
A small-footprint, high-impact micro-market and farming model designed to be replicated in food insecure communities everywhere.
The need

A city facing both hunger and chronic disease.

Western Massachusetts experiences the highest level of food insecurity in the state. Springfield, a majority-minority Gateway City, carries a disproportionate share of that burden — with limited access to healthy food options.

Problem 1
Severe food insecurity

Western Massachusetts has 76,253 food insecure individuals. Springfield alone accounts for nearly 30% of that total — 22,591 individuals living with food insecurity.

Problem 2
Declining community health

An estimated 67% of Springfield adults are overweight or obese. The city ranks among the highest in Massachusetts for diabetes-related and heart disease-related deaths.

Problem 3
Limited access to healthy, affordable food

Springfield ranks second among major Massachusetts cities with the lowest grocery store and fresh food access. Over 105,000 residents (68.3%) are both low-income and living in low-access areas for healthy food.

Solution

Integrated micro-food networks.

Rather than one large, distant grocery store, City Sprout builds many small, interconnected pieces: innovative farming hubs feeding neighborhood micro-markets, anchored by education and a replicable model.

Integrated micro-food networks are small-scale, interconnected food hubs that produce, distribute, and make available high-quality healthy food in communities that currently lack access.

Year-round food production
Micro-markets in food deserts
SNAP & point-based pricing
Nutrition & agriculture education
Duplicable urban model

By shortening the distance between production and plate, and embedding education into the model, City Sprout aims to reduce both food insecurity and diet-related disease in Springfield and beyond.

Three operational pillars
Innovative Farming Hubs. Greenhouse farms, container farms, and conventional plots allow full-scale production on a fraction of the footprint and cost of traditional farms.
Micro-Markets. Multiple small, strategically placed markets in food-insecure neighborhoods share resources and dramatically increase access to fresh food.
Educational Hub. City Sprout becomes a site for cooking, nutrition, and agricultural education — empowering residents to grow food in their own homes and environments.
Model

From production to plate.

City Sprout is intentionally modular: each component can stand on its own, but together they form a robust ecosystem with diversified revenue streams and prioritized access for low-income households.

Pillar 1 · Access
Community Micro Markets

In-house community markets sell produce using a tiered point-based system informed by specific requirements and guidelines, alongside SNAP, low-cost, and subsidized pricing.

Pillar 2 · Production
Innovative Farming Hubs

Container farms, greenhouse farms, and conventional plots work together to create a resilient, year-round food supply that feeds City Sprout micro-markets and partners.

Pillar 3 · Community Giving
Donations To Subsidy

A percentage of every dollar that is donated to City Sprout goes directly back to the community to subsidize food costs for our patrons.

Pillar 4 · Education
Curriculum & Classes

A community-focused, interactive, easy-to-follow agricultural and nutrition curriculum, paired with cooking and health classes, equips the community with long-term skills to thrive.

Sales & distribution channels
  • Community markets. Produce sold directly to local community members via the micro-market, with pricing designed to prioritize those most in need.
  • Nonprofit partners. Consistent crops are sold and/or donated to local food pantries and kindred organizations, amplifying impact.
  • Traditional distribution. Excess produce can be sold to markets, grocers, restaurants, schools, and similar institutions to help stabilize revenue and reduce waste.
High-level revenue overview

Earned income and philanthropy work together to keep prices low while supporting operational sustainability.

60%
Market sales
15%
Produce sales
20%
Grants
5%
Individual donations
Roadmap

From pilot to full-scale network.

City Sprout is staged in three phases, allowing us to prove the concept on a small scale, refine operations, and then expand into a full regional hub.

Phase I
Small-scale model
Build the foundation for a sustainable and community-rooted operation.
• Raise 100k in funding
• Establish back-end operational logistics (vendors, suppliers, financial, distributors)
• Build key community relationships
• Establish donation intake process
• Establish social and digital presence
Phase II
Mid-size model
Launch the first City Sprout micro-market and expand offerings.
• Launch first micro-market
• Expand available inventory
• Implement point-based pricing matrix
• Begin educational classes (cooking, nutrition, agriculture)
Phase III
Full-scale model
Operate as a comprehensive regional hub for healthy food access.
• Expand into in-house produce production
• Begin wholesale and retail produce distribution
• Implement meal and grocery delivery for high-need households
Get involved

Help launch the first City Sprout hub.

Your partnership helps turn an innovative model into a working micro-market and farming hub in Springfield — and a blueprint other cities can follow.

Partner with City Sprout.

Together, we can make fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food normal for families living in food deserts — not the exception. The first micro-market in Springfield will serve as proof of concept for a broader network.

Fund the build-out. Support the renovation, equipment, and initial inventory required to open the first micro-market.
Invest in education. Help underwrite curriculum development and classes in cooking, nutrition, and urban agriculture.
Collaborate as a partner. Join as a funding, nonprofit, or institutional partner to connect City Sprout with the communities you serve.