Three Recipients of the Food Access Fund and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes, Sapodillas, and Grounded Deliver New Food Options in Ward 8

Mayor Muriel Bowser marked the launch of three new Black-owned businesses in Anacostia, supported by the District’s Food Access Fund and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, which have collectively allocated $27 million to local entrepreneurs. The businesses—Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes, Sapodilla’s Caribbean Restaurant, and Grounded—are instrumental in fostering community engagement and driving economic growth in Ward 8. Sweet Tooth Cafe, run by Chef Stephen Thomas and his family, offers halal American comfort foods and features a teaching kitchen aimed at workforce development and nutrition education. Sapodilla’s, established by Samantha Abrams, showcases the vibrant flavors of Caribbean cuisine, especially from Guyana. Grounded serves as a unique community space that combines a plant shop, café, and wellness studio, focusing on holistic health.

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington announced one-year memberships for both Sweet Tooth Cafe and Sapodilla’s, further supporting their growth. Mayor Bowser’s initiatives reflect a strong commitment to enhancing food access and investing in local businesses, particularly in underserved communities. This strategic investment aims to empower local entrepreneurs to lead the revitalization of Anacostia’s commercial corridor.