What Alchemist Community Development does

Alchemist Community Development Corporation (Alchemist CDC) is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 that operates an interconnected portfolio of food-access, food-entrepreneurship, and neighborhood-empowerment programs across Sacramento and Yolo counties. Its core operations include six certified farmers' markets — Arden-Arcade, Central Sunday, Elk Grove, Florin, Meadowview, and Rancho Cordova — at which it directly provides CalFresh/EBT acceptance and Market Match nutrition incentives (covering nine total markets in the county), distributing $1.4 million in CalFresh and Market Match benefits in 2024 and on track for $1.7 million+ in 2025.

The organization's underlying "technology" is operational rather than digital: physical market infrastructure, certified-vendor networks, a commercial kitchen, four community gardens, and direct-delivery logistics for the Community Food Connections program (a partnership with Sacramento City Unified School District serving vulnerable student households weekly). The food-entrepreneurship stack comprises the Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA) for early-stage training, the Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP) for post-launch growth, and shared commercial-kitchen access. Supporting systems are standard SaaS: Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Stripe/PayPal/Braintree, and Google Maps for impact mapping. No proprietary software, models, or APIs are offered.

Alchemist CDC's business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue mix: (1) individual and corporate donations (including unusual forms such as stocks, real estate, cryptocurrency, and Qualified Charitable Distributions); (2) government grants and capital awards, most notably a $7.8M CERF (California Jobs First) award and a $3.9M EDA award funding the Alchemist Public Market construction in the River District; (3) program-service revenue including farmers' market vendor fees, commercial-kitchen rental, food-entrepreneurship program fees, and event-space revenue from the recently assumed Empress Tavern operations; and (4) corporate sponsorships and volunteer partnerships with named partners including Apple, Blue Shield of California, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, Target, Sacramento Kings, and Sacramento Republic FC. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with cross-sector representation (Blue Shield, Tri Counties Bank, CDSS, CDFA, City of Sacramento) and led by CEO Sam Greenlee, with Farrah Shields joining as Director of Finance in 2026 ahead of the Alchemist Public Market opening in early 2027.

Name

Alchemist Community Development

Legal name

Alchemist Community Development Corporation

Website

https://alchemistcdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alchemist Community Development is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates six certified farmers' markets, CalFresh/Market Match nutrition-incentive infrastructure at nine markets, a food-entrepreneurship incubator (AMA/AKIP), community gardens, and a grocery-delivery partnership with Sacramento City Unified School District, serving low-income families, food entrepreneurs, and local farmers in Sacramento and Yolo counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations form a significant revenue stream. The organization accepts credit card donations online, checks, stocks, real estate, cryptocurrency, and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs. Tax ID: 20-1891448.
2. Government Grants and Awards: Alchemist CDC receives government funding for specific projects, such as the $7.8 million CERF award for the Alchemist Public Market construction in Sacramento's River District.
3. Program Services Revenue: Revenue from program-related activities including farmers' market vendor fees, commercial kitchen rental, food entrepreneurship program fees, and event space rentals (Empress Tavern operations).
4. Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsorships for farmers' markets and specific programs, providing tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities to businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Alchemist Community Development (Alchemist CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates six certified farmers' markets in Sacramento County, delivers CalFresh/SNAP acceptance and Market Match nutrition incentives at nine markets, runs the Alchemist Kitchen food entrepreneurship program (including the Microenterprise Academy and Kitchen Incubator Program), delivers groceries to food-insecure Sacramento school families through Community Food Connections, and cultivates community gardens and green spaces across Sacramento neighborhoods.

Product overview

Alchemist CDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected community programs centered on the local food system. The core offerings include six Certified Farmers' Markets providing CalFresh/Market Match access; the Alchemist Kitchen food entrepreneurship ecosystem comprising the Microenterprise Academy (AMA) and Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP); Community Food Connections delivering groceries to vulnerable school families; and Neighborhood Empowerment through community gardens. A major upcoming initiative is the Alchemist Public Market (opening 2027), which will consolidate all programs into one River District facility. The organization also operates Alchemist Events at Empress Tavern and community cooling stations. Programs are designed to be interconnected, addressing food access, inclusive economic development, and community place-making simultaneously.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alchemist Kitchen: Food entrepreneurship program that trains, empowers, and equips under-resourced food entrepreneurs to start successful businesses. Includes Alchemist Microenterprise Academy, Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP), and Commercial Kitchen.
• Alchemist Public Market
• Community Food Connections
• Alchemist Microenterprise Academy
• Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP)

Products and services

• Alchemist Certified Farmers' Markets Six certified farmers' markets (Arden-Arcade, Central Sunday, Elk Grove, Florin, Meadowview, Rancho Cordova) operating in Sacramento County, providing direct-to-consumer fresh produce sales to local residents and CalFresh recipients.
• Alchemist Kitchen Food Entrepreneurship Program Comprehensive food entrepreneurship program offering training, equipment, and commercial kitchen access to under-resourced food entrepreneurs launching or growing food businesses in the Sacramento region.
• Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA) Classroom-based training program with mentorship and step-by-step guidance that helps food entrepreneurs develop their business concepts into launched food businesses.
• Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP) Incubator program providing graduated AMA participants with commercial kitchen access, one-on-one mentorship, and professional development resources to grow their food businesses.
• Alchemist Commercial Kitchen Rental commercial kitchen space available to food entrepreneurs, particularly AKIP participants, for production of food products and prepared foods.
• CalFresh at Farmers' Markets SNAP/EBT/CalFresh benefit acceptance service at farmers' markets, operating CalFresh access booths at 8-9 markets in Sacramento County to enable low-income shoppers to use benefits for fresh produce purchases.
• Market Match Nutrition incentive program that matches CalFresh benefits spent at farmers' markets, providing up to $15 extra per market per day to purchase healthy, California-grown produce.
• Community Food Connections (CFC) Food-security program delivering free groceries weekly to vulnerable student households of Sacramento City Unified School District, prioritizing purchases from local growers.
• Neighborhood Empowerment Program Program cultivating community gardens and green spaces across Sacramento neighborhoods including Oak Park Art Garden, Oak Park Sol Community Garden, Pansy Community Garden Park, and Mirasol Village Community Garden.
• Community Cooling Stations Pop-up cooling stations deployed during heat waves to provide shade, cooling mist, and hydrating beverages to vulnerable community members, with crowdfunded supplies and community hosts.
• Alchemist Events at Empress Tavern Hospitality and events program operated in partnership with Empress Tavern in downtown Sacramento, providing event venue management, culinary experiences, and workforce development opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributed $1.4 million in CalFresh and Market Match at 9 farmers' markets in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Empress TaverncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Alchemist CDC took over operations of Empress Tavern restaurant events space in downtown Sacramento. The partnership includes hiring Chef Dennis Sydnor for events and leverages the restaurant space for Alchemist's culinary and hospitality workforce development programs.
• Helvetia Brewing Co.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024New Helvetia Brewing partnered with Alchemist CDC's food business incubator on a new food program. The partnership supports local food entrepreneurs through Alchemist Kitchen programs.
• Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Community Food Connections program that bridges gaps in the food system to deliver groceries to some of the most food-insecure households of Sacramento school children. Alchemist CDC delivers farm-fresh produce and grocery staples directly to vulnerable families weekly.
• Blue Shield of CaliforniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer day partner. Blue Shield employees participated in Cesar Chavez Day volunteer activities with Alchemist CDC in 2025.
• AppleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program partner that has conducted volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• IntelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program partner that has conducted volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• Kaiser PermanenteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program partner that has conducted volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• Sacramento KingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program partner that has conducted volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• Sacramento Republic FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program partner that has conducted volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• TargetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program partner that has conducted volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• City of SacramentominorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner that has participated in corporate volunteer days with Alchemist CDC.
• Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community development projects including Pansy Community Garden Park, providing funding and support for community green spaces.
• SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community development projects including Pansy Community Garden Park, supporting sustainable community initiatives.
• Juma VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for hospitality workforce development. Alchemist Events team works with Juma to mentor young adults and help them build skills and pathways to careers in hospitality.
• Elizabeth Wight Graphic DesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLed the organization's months-long rebranding process in 2024, developing the new visual identity featuring a monarch butterfly chrysalis and colorful palette representing diversity and transformation.
• California Farmers' Market AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in statewide farmers' market advocacy and coordination efforts.
• California Food and Farming NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner for food and farming policy advocacy at the state level.
• California Hunger Action CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner working to address hunger and food access issues across California.
• California Food Policy CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner working on food policy advocacy and coordination statewide.
• Save Market Match CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore organizing partner in coalition to renew and expand funding for the California Nutrition Incentive Program and Market Match.
• Sacramento Food Policy CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition partner working on food policy coordination in the Sacramento region.
• Sacramento County Community Health in Action (CHIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner for community health initiatives in Sacramento County.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit that pioneered the Market Match nutrition incentive model which Alchemist CDC deploys at Sacramento markets. Direct peer in the SNAP-doubling/food access space and a major policy/comparison reference point.
• Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA): California nonprofit operating certified farmers' markets with CalFresh/EBT acceptance and Market Match programs across the Bay Area and beyond. Directly comparable to Alchemist CDC's farmers' market and food access operations, though operating in different regions.
• Mandela Partners: Oakland-based nonprofit focused on healthy food access, food entrepreneurship, and community development in under-resourced communities. Comparable integrated model combining food access with economic development.
• La Cocina: San Francisco-based nonprofit food business incubator providing commercial kitchen access, training, and mentorship to under-resourced food entrepreneurs — directly analogous to Alchemist Kitchen (AMA, AKIP, Commercial Kitchen).
• Foodwise (formerly CUESA): San Francisco-based nonprofit operating the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market and other Bay Area markets with robust food access and education programs. Closely comparable mission and operational model to Alchemist CDC's farmers' market and food access work.
• Fresh Approach: Bay Area nonprofit operating farmers' markets, CalFresh acceptance, and community gardens with a focus on food access in underserved communities. Closely comparable to Alchemist CDC's market and neighborhood empowerment programs.
• Ecology Center: Berkeley-based nonprofit operating the Berkeley Farmers' Market with strong CalFresh/Market Match programs and food access advocacy. Highly comparable to Alchemist CDC's market operations and policy work.

Broad incumbents

• The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based national nonprofit operating farmers' markets, healthy food retail initiatives, and food access programs at significantly larger scale. Comparable mission but broader geographic footprint and larger operating budget.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AlchemistCDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlchemistCDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9746579
• Instagraminstagram.com/alchemistcdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alchemist Community Development