Foothills Commissary is a small, community-focused commissary kitchen fighting to stay open for the 55 local small businesses that depend on it. Many people in the community have already supported these vendors by eating at a food truck, shopping a pop-up, or hiring a catering startup. More than 80% of the businesses that rely on this kitchen are women- and immigrant-owned, and for many of them, this work is their sole source of income and a big part of their family’s future.

Right now, Foothills Commissary is facing a serious threat from its corporate landlord. Although the kitchen is current on its base rent, it says the landlord has imposed inflated CAM fees without transparency, charged thousands for maintenance work that was never performed, and added late fees to bills that were legally disputed because of obvious errors. Foothills Commissary hired an attorney and even tried to settle, but says the landlord has refused to compromise.

Because Foothills Commissary operates on thin margins to keep access affordable for marginalized entrepreneurs, this fight has put enormous pressure on the kitchen. If it is forced to close, all 55 businesses anchored there could lose the commercial kitchen access they rely on to keep cooking, earning, and serving the city.

Funds will help cover:

• Ongoing legal defense so the attorney can continue challenging these charges and push for an audit of the disputed bills
• An emergency operational buffer to help keep the kitchen open while the dispute is being resolved

Any donation or share can make a real difference. Supporting this fundraiser means standing with Foothills Commissary, its 55 vendors, and the diverse small-business community built around this kitchen.