![City Kitchen Sacramento is one of many meal prep businesses that saw a spike in business during the pandemic as more people ate at home. (Photo courtesy of Erica Cervantez)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0721_dept_taste_courtesyofericacervantez_lead.jpg?1627409049)
Meal Prep Entrepreneurs Saw Big Growth — and Challenges — During the Pandemic
While nearly every other niche of the food industry lost its footing in the pandemic, one had the potential to thrive: meal delivery services.
![From left, a mango and strawberry fruit cup, a mixed gaspacho, and a mangonada at Gaspachos in south Sacramento, shown with the three chile powders that customers can choose from. (Photos courtesy of Gaspachos)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0721_blog_neighborhoodfavorite_lead.jpg?1626986906)
Neighborhood Favorite: Gaspachos
Four siblings bring a Michoacan specialty to Franklin Boulevard
Gaspachos in south Sacramento does not serve gazpacho, the
Spanish chilled tomato soup. Here and in Morelia, Michoacan,
gaspacho is something else entirely.
![Mattone Ristorante opened in May in the East Sacramento building that was home to the Italian restaurant Español from 1965 until its closure in August 2020. (Photos by Wes Davis)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0721_feat_food_wesdavis_lead.jpg?1626451803)
New Life for Iconic Sacramento Spaces That Closed During the Pandemic
A new generation of entrepreneurs is bringing fresh concepts to restaurant and bar spaces that shuttered in 2020.
![Brothers Gary Frasinetti (left) and Howard Frasinetti run Sacramento’s Frasinetti Winery, which was founded by their grandfather 124 years ago. (Photo by Fred Greaves)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0621_dept_backstory_fredgreaves_lead.jpg?1624979218)
The Back Story: The Long Pour
After 124 years in business, Frasinetti Winery continues making and serving its wine
Frasinetti Winery is the oldest family-owned wine producer in the
Sacramento Valley, withstanding the Prohibition and both World
Wars.
![Vanessa Maggio, vegan snack enthusiast, is the owner of Gxxd Box. (Photos by Andrew Calisterio)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/_mg_6425.jpg?1624565832)
Getting to Know: Vanessa Maggio
The co-owner of All Good and Official Brand strikes out in the plant-based snack market
Vanessa Maggio, vegan snack enthusiast, is the owner of Gxxd
Box, an upcycled shipping container that will soon be
situated somewhere within Midtown Sacramento.
![Sugar Sweetery in Rancho Cordova is one of five finalists for the June edition of the Sacramento Republic Kickstart grant program. (Photo courtesy of Sugar Sweetery)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/image3_0.jpg?1624640116)
A Big Gift for Five Capital Region LGBTQ+ Businesses
Sacramento Republic FC is celebrating LGBTQ+ businesses through
its Kickstart grant series.
![Back Bistro in Folsom only offered upscale indoor dining, serving dishes like its steak and potatoes, before the pandemic hit. (Photos by Debbie Cunningham)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0621_dept_taste_debbiecunningham_embed1.jpg?1624296168)
Will Curbside Pickup Survive?
Capital Region restaurant owners weigh the future of curbside
pickup, which kept many businesses afloat during the
pandemic.
![A volunteer packs food boxes with local produce at a Growing the Table event at Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/volunteer.jpg?1624298329)
This Food Box Helps Families and Small Farmers
Growing the Table is a statewide initiative that connects farmers
from underserved communities with families in need.
![Feijoada, moqueca and chicken stroganoff are among the offerings at Amazon Grill, a takeout restaurant operated by the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/spread_0.jpg?1623697060)
Neighborhood Favorite: Amazon Grill
A nonprofit serves Brazilian takeout out of a former school cafeteria
Amazon Grill is operated by the nonprofit Brazilian Center for
Cultural Exchange of Sacramento, which serves as a hub for the
Capital Region’s Brazilian community.
![The Lab@AgStart wet lab includes space for 28 benches (workstations). (Photo by Dragon Roll Media, courtesy of Lab@AgStart)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lab.jpg?1623091201)
Incubator Lab for Food and Ag Tech Startups Opens in Woodland
A startup incubator aims to bring a new generation of food and
agricultural technology innovators to the Yolo County
seat.