Supporting Community-Driven Restaurant Models

Comal Heritage Food Incubator

Photo courtesy of Comal Heritage Food Incubator.

For a lot of immigrants and refugees who call the United States and Colorado home, there is a lack of resources and opportunities for them to connect with their community, heritage, beloved foods – not to mention good paying jobs. This is just one of the many impacts that systems of racism and xenophobia have on our society that has historically centered white supremacy. 

As a coalition, we are working toward a future where all Coloradans have access to good, healthy food and a sense of community. Currently, there are more than half a million immigrants who call Colorado home. In the Aurora School District alone, students come from more than 130 countries and there are more than 160 languages that are spoken. 

One restaurant in Denver was established by immigrants and refugees to help fill the need. Comal Heritage Food is a heritage food incubator that provides an 18-24 month hands-on training program for striving restaurant entrepreneurs. The result? Delicious food and four Comal-launched restaurants around the community for all to enjoy. 

Photo courtesy of Comal Heritage Food Incubator.

If you love Mexican or Mediterranean food, or are craving for some Ethiopian coffee, check out this page on where to head for your next meal. For those who are on the adventurous side, head to the restaurant itself at 3455 Ringsby Ct #105 in Denver, where participants of the program are celebrating their heritage every day by testing out new meals for the community to appreciate. The food is made from scratch and many ingredients come from their heritage garden! 

Inspired? We are too – and it doesn’t just stop at Comal. Focus Points, the nonprofit organization who launched Comal in 2016, is a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to build and strengthen communities one program at a time. In addition to Comal and the several programs they provide for the community, they also provide free cooking and nutrition classes for families who would like to learn more about budget-friendly and healthy food preparation.

Comal and Focus Points are changemakers in the community, creating a future where some of our most vulnerable members can have access to healthy food, a sense of community, and good paying jobs here in Colorado. Eat some delicious food while supporting community driven restaurant models like Comal Heritage Food!