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City Tasting Box

Supporting Local Food Makers Across The Nation

$4,495
pledged of$725,000 goal
21
0Days Left

Project Description

City Tasting Box is a boutique e-commerce shop that curates a blend of packaged goods from local food artisans, restaurants, and chefs - all packaged in a well designed mailer box. 
 
Meet The Owners
City_Tasting_Box_Meet_The_Owners
Cristina McCarter (left) and Lisa Brown (right)

 

Cristina McCarter and Lisa Brown started City Tasting Box last year during the height of the pandemic. What started as a pivot strategy has turned into a well-received business venture. City Tasting Box has primarily focused on promoting local food makers out of it’s hometown, Memphis, TN; but, we are ready to explore new cities.

 

Our Mission & Vision
We believe some of the best food in America is produced by local food makers. At City Tasting Box our mission is simple - we want to connect chefs to new customers and foodies to their favorite cities.
We are a community - entrepreneurs, foodies, chefs, and food artisans - and we support our local food scene. Count on us to raise up the microbusiness owner, female chefs, up-and-coming food artisans, and local restaurant staples.

 

Our Values
Living local is not a trend. It's a lifestyle. Understanding our economic buying power is a lesson that most of us are still learning. With our dollars, we choose to keep a mom-and-pop shop in business. We simply want to give everyone the opportunity to invest in and support our community of food makers and their collective stories. That's why at City Tasting Box, 100% of our food and packaging vendors are small businesses with strong ties to their local community.
City_Tasting_Box_Crowdfunding_Campaign
City Tasting Box currently works with over 30 local food makers in Memphis, TN.
 
So, why crowdfunding?
We are operating in a $10B industry and we need to capital to compete on a major scale. Our goal is to produce adequate working capital to strategically invest in key areas of our business.
 
Plans for Expansion
In 2022, we will launch a quarterly subscription service with curated boxes featuring local food makers from all across the nation. We will also expand to more markets, offering city-themed boxes in other cities such as Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, and Atlanta, just to name a few. 
In order to offer more products, here are the 5 areas where the raised funds will be invested.
City_Tasting_Box_Crowdfunding_Campaign
 
The Mission Box
We created a special box just for this crowdfunding campaign. The Mission Box is a curated collection of local food artisans in Memphis, TN. Celebrating the tenacity, resilience, and diversity of our local food scene. Each one of these artisans has a story to tell and a mission to uplift their communities. We invite our business community to eat locally, support minority-owned businesses, and experience Memphis all in one box.
City_Tasting_Box_Crowdfunding_Campaign_The_Mission_Box
Curated exclusively for the iFundWomen crowdfunding campaign as an offer to our sponsors for funds raised. The food makers featured include: Pop's Kernel, Nine Oat One, Makeda's Cookies, Spicy Z's, Grecian Gourmet, My Cup of Tea, and Mae's Gourmet Jam.
 

    The Campaign FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    • What happens after we pledge?
      • FIRST! We will do a victory twirl! NEXT! Our Campaign Manager, Alexa Bambrick will send over a Google Form to gather your contact info and shipping address(es) via Shopify. 
    • When will you start shipping out The Mission Box?
      • We will have three waves of shipments starting October 2nd. You will receive tracking info via Shopify. All shipments are sent with UPS. 
    • Can we customize our boxes?
      • Since this is a crowdfunding exclusive box we are not able to make any changes to The Mission Box. If you would like to add a corporate notecard to your package we can add that. Please email [email protected]
    • We purchased a package with multiple boxes.  How will this be shipped?
      • After you make your pledge we will contact you to gather everyone's information.  We highly suggest that you let us ship the boxes to each individual for liability purposes. 
    • I would love to support! Can we send a check?
      • We would love your support! All checks are payable to City Tasting Box an can be mailed. Please email our Campaign Manager, Alexa B at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. 

     

     

    Beverly Elliott
    11/19/2021
    Monetary Contribution
    $100
    Kimberly Behzadi
    11/03/2021
    Monetary Contribution
    $25
    Deveney
    10/08/2021
    City Tasting Box Supporter
    $100
    The Epic Picnic
    07/24/2021
    Monetary Contribution
    $35
    07/23/2021
    City Tasting Box Supporter
    $100
    Francois Samson
    07/23/2021
    City Tasting Box Backer
    $1,000
    KaTrenia Upshaw
    07/22/2021
    City Tasting Box Supporter
    $100
    Jenna Stevens
    07/20/2021
    City Tasting Box Supporter
    $100
    Rebecca Phillips
    07/20/2021
    Monetary Contribution
    $40
    Latoya Williams
    07/20/2021
    City Tasting Box Supporter
    $100
    Monetary Contribution
    • 15% off discount code to be used by 12/12/2021
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription
    • a virtual high five
    • a personalized email from Cristina & Lisa.
    6 Supporters
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    City Tasting Box Supporter

    Includes:

    • (1) The Mission Box
    • Free UPS Shipping and Handling
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription

    Shipping begins October 2, 2021 and runs through November 5, 2021.

    If you have any questions please visit FAQs or contact us at [email protected]

    38 Left
    12 Supporters
    Select this reward
    1,000.00 USD
    City Tasting Box Backer

    Includes:

    • (10) The Mission Box
    • Free UPS Shipping and Handling
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription

    Shipping begins October 2, 2021 and runs through November 5, 2021.

    If you have any questions please visit FAQs or contact us at [email protected]

    22 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    2,500.00 USD
    City Tasting Box Champion

    Includes:

    • (20) The Mission Box 
    • Free UPS Shipping and Handling
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription
    • Virtual food tasting event for each box recipient.

    Shipping begins October 2, 2021 and runs through November 5, 2021.

    If you have any questions please visit FAQs or contact us at [email protected]

    95 Left
    0 Supporters
    Select this reward

    About the Entrepreneur

    Memphis, TN
    Created 1 Campaign
    Business Services
    Lifestyle
    Social Good

    Rewards

    Monetary Contribution
    • 15% off discount code to be used by 12/12/2021
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription
    • a virtual high five
    • a personalized email from Cristina & Lisa.
    6 Supporters
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    City Tasting Box Supporter

    Includes:

    • (1) The Mission Box
    • Free UPS Shipping and Handling
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription

    Shipping begins October 2, 2021 and runs through November 5, 2021.

    If you have any questions please visit FAQs or contact us at [email protected]

    38 Left
    12 Supporters
    Select this reward
    1,000.00 USD
    City Tasting Box Backer

    Includes:

    • (10) The Mission Box
    • Free UPS Shipping and Handling
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription

    Shipping begins October 2, 2021 and runs through November 5, 2021.

    If you have any questions please visit FAQs or contact us at [email protected]

    22 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    2,500.00 USD
    City Tasting Box Champion

    Includes:

    • (20) The Mission Box 
    • Free UPS Shipping and Handling
    • $15 Off coupon for 2022 subscription
    • Virtual food tasting event for each box recipient.

    Shipping begins October 2, 2021 and runs through November 5, 2021.

    If you have any questions please visit FAQs or contact us at [email protected]

    95 Left
    0 Supporters
    Select this reward