A few years ago Sara Continenza was one person with an idea to help get healthy food into the hands of Cleveland residents. Now she has a food justice nonprofit, three acres of land in the heart of the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, a former church, a farmhouse – and the same goal.
We “focus on fostering long-term wellness by providing residents with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and nutrition,” Continenza said.
Her nonprofit, Food Strong, will host a resource fair on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at its Superior Farm, 6527 Superior Ave. The fair, called a Care-A-Van, links community members to services and information and includes free health screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar as well as referrals for further medical care.
Continenza did the first Care-A-Van at the Coit Road Farmers Market in 2017. This year, Food Strong expanded the Care-A-Van to its new Superior Farm location.
The final Care-A-Van at the farm this season will feature music, rock painting, yoga lessons, and culinary demonstrations by Shirelle Boyd, otherwise known as Chef Shirelle. Vendors include Bike Cleveland, the National Youth Advocacy Program, and the St. Clair-Superior Development Corp.
Fighting for food justice
Continenza founded Food Strong in 2018 as an umbrella organization for the Care-A-Van program and other health and wellness initiatives she was working on.
Food Strong operates a Learning Garden at the Coit Road Farmers Market hosting educational programs and allowing students to practice selling their produce and learn business skills.
Food Strong has also partnered with Rid-All Green Partnership and the Cuyahoga Land Bank to assist community members in obtaining and developing vacant lots as agricultural areas, pocket parks, and other green spaces. The initiative is funded by Cuyahoga County Council.
Volunteers Needed
Superior Farm is located on three acres of land gifted to Food Strong in 2024. There is a farmhouse and a church on the grounds. Food Strong is planning to transform the land into an urban farm with volunteer housing, training facilities, and space for cultural and recreational events.
Volunteers are needed to help fix up the property. Food Strong hosts volunteers at Superior Farm every Tuesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
You can sign up here to help.