Farmers can create value added products in our commercially licensed kitchen, extending the season for local produce, utilizing farm seconds, and increasing farm profits. CLiCK supports and enhances local food sovereignty, empowering local growers and contributing to a cleaner, climate-conscious, democratic food system.
Our nutrition and wellness classes in our newly renovated Teaching Kitchen empower community members to take control of their health. Our member businesses connect consumers to over 15 local produce, meat, dairy and egg farms, driving business to local farms in the area and increasing consumer access to fresh, nutritious foods. Small business owners shouldn’t have to make it alone — take advantage of our affordable and sanitary kitchens, access to existing supply chains, and consulting services to enhance your business with CLiCK.
Local processing facilities allow small farmers in our community to add value to their products. CLiCK provides a licensed commercial kitchen space that also enables local entrepreneurs to incubate small businesses without taking on the debt or risk of an entire kitchen all by themselves.
CLiCK therefore isn't just addressing local economic development through the practice of social justice and a commitment to co-operative values, but is also putting the concept of just sustainability into practice by making local food processing and business incubation a reality for those who might not be able to afford their own commercial kitchen/restaurant.
There are many benefits to investing in local food production; not only does your community improve, but you can see the health benefits inside your household. That’s why CLiCK is here — for the benefit of individuals, the local community, and the world.
CLiCK Willimantic began in 2009 after local residents and members of the Willimantic Food Co-op discussed the idea of a shared processing kitchen and ways to better serve farmers in the Windham community. The initial impetus for CLiCK was to provide local farmers a place to process their goods and add value to their raw materials…
In 2013 the Connecticut Department of Agriculture estimated that only about 1% of food bought in Connecticut is actually grown in the state. Therefore they set a goal to bring this amount up to 5% by 2015. The heartCTgrown campaign aims higher, seeking to reach 10% of Connecticut food and gardening dollars spent on local products. Key to this effort is not just a greater production on the part of CT farmers but also a greater number of places where farmers can process their goods.
CLiCK is prepared to play a vital role in this initiative by being the first available processing kitchen in Eastern CT. Additionally, in helping to meet this goal, CLiCK is playing a critical part in the shift from an unsustainable, socially and environmentally destructive, global food system to one that is just, locally based, sustainable, and healthy for all.
A cooperative is run democratically and is jointly-owned and operated — we are a collective of individuals and volunteers united for a common goal. CLiCK, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 run on cooperative values, including:
CLiCK values its relationships with the local farms, farmers’ markets, food co-ops, and other social service agencies committed to social and environmental justice. We strive to continually connect folks to local farms, co-ops, and social service agencies that CLiCK has worked with. Each organization provides something unique for the community they serve; visit their websites for more information.
Our resources listing also includes organizations from whom we have taken inspiration and with whom we look to partner more in the future.
Local processing facilities allow small farmers in our community to add value to their products. CLiCK provides a licensed commercial kitchen space that also enables local entrepreneurs to incubate small businesses without taking on the debt or risk of an entire kitchen all by themselves.
CLiCK therefore isn't just addressing local economic development through the practice of social justice and a commitment to co-operative values, but is also putting the concept of just sustainability into practice by making local food processing and business incubation a reality for those who might not be able to afford their own commercial kitchen/restaurant.