Feeding the economy with food businesses As the country wraps up its Labor Day celebrations and honoring the achievements of American workers, we are highlighting small businesses. It's widely reported that small businesses are the engines of job growth. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are nearly 29 million small businesses in the United States that employ millions of Americans. Many of these operations are in the food industry, everything from shared commercial kitchens to cupcake shops to mobile food trucks. Here's a look at how NeighborWorks organizations are combining food and community development. Serving great food for a great cause NeighborWorks network member Affordable Homes of South Texas knew it needed to generate revenue to continue helping residents achieve the dream of homeownership. The organization opened a sandwich shop that serves great food and offers job opportunities. Watch the video Creating opportunity and building community through food The Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen, a shared-use commercial kitchen, is one project included in Hudson River Housing's renovation of the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory. The kitchen fuels sustainable economic growth and celebrates the rich cultural assets in the city of Poughkeepsie. Learn more about the Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen Improving health and the economy with olive oil An olive oil bottling facility in Texas is helping to increase healthy eating habits and reduce disease while also providing job opportunities. NeighborWorks member Business Community Lenders of Texas shows that the role of economic development can be multi-faceted. Excerpted from NeighborWorks Works: Practical Solutions from America's Community Development Network . Read a practical solution from our network SPOTLIGHT Celebrating Grandparents Day This Sunday, Sept. 10, Nanas and Papas around the country will share special moments with their grandchildren as part of National Grandparents Day. Here’s a moving story from NeighborWorks network member Southwest Solutions about a couple who uprooted their lives to create a home for their grandson. Read their story If you would like to use any of the content above, please contact Racine Tucker-Hamilton. View this email in your browser You are receiving this email because of your relationship with NeighborWorks America. Please reconfirm your interest in receiving emails from us. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here. 999 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 900, Washington, DC, 20002 Update Profile/Email Address