HARTFORD/NEW HAVEN, Conn. July 9, 2026 — Reset and CitySeed celebrated the graduation of 15 Connecticut food entrepreneurs from their inaugural, jointly-run Food Business Incubator at a Showcase held June 29 at CitySeed in New Haven. Each graduate received a $700 grant to support their business growth, and three standout participants shared an additional $2,500 in cash awards to fuel their business growth. 

The Food Business Incubator is a 12-week program for Connecticut-based food entrepreneurs who have been in business for six months to two years and are ready to grow. Through hands-on workshops, real-world exercises, and one-on-one coaching, participants strengthen their operations, refine their brand, and build toward sustainable scale. The program is the second tier of a three-part Food Business Pathway that Reset and CitySeed launched this year to guide entrepreneurs from idea to scale: Food Business Fundamentals, the Food Business Incubator, and the Food Business Accelerator.

2026 Award Winners

• Soledad Kristan of Downright Breads — Scaling Food Business Pitch Winner
• Mariah Boria of Mariah Bakes — Emerging Food Business Winner
• Lauren Barnes and Javier Diaz Mosquea of Pika Food Truck — Audience Choice Award

Each of the 15 program participants is eligible for a $700 grant, grant assistance with business licensure fees, and cash prizes for the three top winners, bringing total program investment to $18,000 across the cohort.

"Every graduate in this cohort brought something different to the table — a new product, a new market, a new way of thinking about their business," said Sarah Blecher, Reset’s Executive Director. "Watching them pitch and present at the Food Business Showcase demonstrated just how far twelve weeks of focused support can take an entrepreneur."

“We were thrilled to host the Food Business Showcase at CitySeed and partner with Reset to deliver the Food Business Incubator,” said Sarah Miller, CitySeed’s Executive Director. “Between our Farmer’s Markets, food entrepreneurship programs with Reset, and culinary training with Sanctuary Kitchen, we are delivering good food and economic opportunity.” 

Graduating businesses in the spring Food Business Incubator cohort are:

• Lauren Barnes and Francisco Javier Diaz Mosquea, Pika Food Truck, instagram.com/pikafoodtruck
• Carolyn Batz, Dragonfire Meadery, dragonfiremeadery.com
• Mariah Boria, Mariah Bakes, mariahbakes.com
• Alexandra Brown, With a Splash, instagram.com/withasplashmobilebar
• Melissa Carrasco, Melissa's Fusion Cuisine, instagram.com/melissasfusioncuisine
• Florina Gosturani, Ina Sweet Bakery, facebook.com/p/Ina-Sweet-Bakery-100088764871910/
• Jasmin Jones, Lil Mariez Sweet Treat, instagram.com/withasplashmobilebar
• Margo Jones, Assiah Tea and Wellness, assiahteaandwellness.com
• Soledad Kristan, Downright Breads, downrightbreads.com
• Cherryll LaFond, Caribbean Home-Style Products, caribbeanhomestyleproducts.com
• Lance McDougald, Juice Healer, instagram.com/juicehealer1
• Camille Smith, Cami's Kitchen, instagram.com/camiskitchen_camis4rs
• Cherice Williams, That Girl Can Cook 
• Sara Wingard, The Sushi Class, thesushiclass.com
• Shawna Strayhorn, Vittles to the People 

About the Food Business Pathway

Reset and CitySeed created the Food Business Pathway to meet Connecticut food entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. The pathway begins with Food Business Fundamentals, a free introductory course for aspiring and very early-stage entrepreneurs, continues with the 12-week Food Business Incubator, and will culminate in the Food Business Accelerator, launching in 2027 for established businesses ready to scale.

About Reset: Founded in 2007, Reset is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, Reset acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. Reset specializes in social enterprise — impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines — providing coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, Reset and Collab have assisted over 700 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more.

About CitySeed: CitySeed is cultivating a Greater New Haven where everyone has access to good food: fresh, local, nutrient-rich, culturally-affirming, supportive of our local economy, and rooted in connection. We partner with farmers, chefs, and food business operators to turn skills and passions into sustainable livelihoods. By breaking down barriers, CitySeed ensures that good food reaches those who need it most and builds opportunity in the food system. We tackle challenges to farm viability, food access, food entrepreneurship, and culinary employment to nurture a thriving, equitable community where good food and economic opportunity are accessible to all. Through markets that connect neighbors with local producers, food business support that grows emerging enterprises, and workforce training that prepares new chefs for culinary careers, CitySeed  generates millions annually for developing farmers, chefs, and food entrepreneurs, strengthening our local food system from field to shelf.

# # #