CitySeed Press Release - Amor Proper Van Purchase

CITYSEED TO UNVEIL NEW CATERING DELIVERY VEHICLE TO SUPPORT SANCTUARY KITCHEN, 

SUPPORTED BY LINDY LEE GOLD’S AMOUR PROPRE FUND

Through the partnership of over 220 Great Give donors, Grieco Ford, and JetFab, the new vehicle will drive economic opportunity for Greater New Haven immigrant and refugee chefs

[NEW HAVEN, CT] – CitySeed is proud to announce the purchase of a new 2025 Ford Transit Cargo Van from Grieco Ford of Branford, which will power the growth of its social enterprise, Sanctuary Kitchen. Sanctuary Kitchen brings the world’s cuisines to Greater New Haven while creating pathways to economic empowerment for immigrant and refugee chefs via culinary training and employment support. Offering one of the most diverse selections of global cuisines in Greater New Haven, with exceptional dishes from Afghanistan, Iraq, Nepal, Senegal, Syria, and more, Sanctuary Kitchen supports aspiring chefs via its popular full-service catering program and take-home meals, which are available for pickup at CitySeed Farmers Markets and the Madison Farmers Market..  

Last year saw a doubling in Sanctuary Kitchen’s monthly catering orders, which were delivered via a twenty-one-year-old 2004 Honda Element. The Element previously pulled the CitySeed farmers market trailer and transported market gear, and is in need of frequent repairs. CitySeed initiated a campaign for a new delivery vehicle with over 220 donors during last year’s Great Give, and completed it with a generous gift from Lindy Lee Gold’s Amour Propre Fund. 

Amour Propre Fund Founder Lindy Lee Gold said that “CitySeed’s workforce development and small business support work aligns perfectly with my commitment to enabling economic opportunity and sustainable change in the lives of our neighbors experiencing poverty. Their work creates intergenerational change by breaking the cycle of poverty.”

CitySeed Executive Director Sarah Miller explained that “Lindy Lee Gold’s leadership gift and the love of our community expressed through the Great Give provide necessary infrastructure for Sanctuary Kitchen’s growth. This growth in turn expands our capacity to address the most pressing issues facing immigrants and refugees: unemployment, financial instability, social isolation, and discrimination. A new van means that we can deliver more and larger orders, which in turn supports expanded culinary, ESOL, and job readiness training and family support for immigrant and refugee chefs.”

Christopher Fernau, General Manager of Grieco Ford of Branford, added “we are thrilled to officially join the Connecticut coastline community and serve as your new local Ford haven. We are dedicated to giving back through local initiatives such as Sanctuary Kitchen, school supply drives and food donations to ensure our neighbors thrive together.”

Perry Maresca, Economic and Business Development Manager for the Town of Branford,  noted that “When Lindy reached out and expressed CitySeed’s need for a Ford van to replace their failing vehicle that was over 20 years old, we contacted Mike Grieco, the new owner of the Ford dealership here in town. Mr Grieco was extremely willing to assist in any way they could and put his team on the task. We cannot thank him enough!”

About CitySeed: Sanctuary Kitchen is a program of CitySeed, a New Haven non-profit organization that creates opportunity and expands access across our local food system. Founded in 2004, CitySeed advances a model of local economy, sustainable agriculture, and well-being through local food. In addition to Sanctuary Kitchen, CitySeed operates New Haven’s Farmers Markets (including a Winter Market, open indoors on Saturdays); a Food Business Incubator with shared-use commercial kitchen access and wraparound training and support; and a farm-to-institution delivery service. CitySeed recently acquired a former factory in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood, which will be transformed into a multi-use food facility comprised of shared-use kitchens, cold and dry storage, a teaching kitchen, and event space. For more information about CitySeed and its programs, and to subscribe to updates, visit cityseed.org. 

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Unveiling of new Sanctuary Kitchen catering delivery vehicle

WHO: Lindy Lee Gold, Amour Propre Fund; Sarah Miller, CitySeed; Christopher Fernau, Grieco Ford of Branford; Joshua Brooks, Branford First Selectman; Perry Maresca, Economic and Business Development, Branford; Rachel Rusconi, Shoreline Chamber of Commerce; Sanctuary Kitchen chefs; among others

WHEN: Tuesday February 10, 2026 at 10 am

WHERE: Grieco Ford of Branford, 301 East Main Street, Branford; Maintenance Bay

Press Contact 

Sarah Miller, Executive Director

Email: sarah@cityseed.org 

Phone: 203-675-9516