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For Sarah Adams, owner of , spending her weekends on Governors Island this summer felt a little like a homecoming. 

“As someone from the Caribbean, being on Governors Island reminded me of home – it’s so welcoming and you’re surrounded by water,” Ms. Adams said.  

Weekends from May through October, Ms. Adams was on Governors Island to sell hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, fries, and vegan options such as vegetarian burgers and vegetarian empanadas at The Foodie Spot, a shared vendor space created for �鶹�� food business owners thanks to a partnership between �鶹�� and The Trust for Governors Island.  

“I was nervous at first, and it was challenging because this is something I was responsible for doing every weekend,” Ms. Adams said. “Being at Governor’s Island is almost like having a restaurant. I had to think about signage, about my processes: how I was going to get the food ready, keep track of money, inventory, how early I needed to start setting up. With every weekend I grew more consistent. I just keep growing and testing myself as the opportunities come to me.” 

The unique opportunity to be a vendor on Governors Island is for graduates of �鶹��’s Food Business Pathways Program (FBP), which provides free business development training to assist �鶹�� public housing and Section 8 residents start or expand their food businesses. The program is operated by �鶹��’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES). 

Ms. Adams, who lives in a Manhattan �鶹�� development, launched Ms. Macs Catering in 2015, soon after she graduated from FBP. Her business began with her love of making her grandmother’s famous rum cake, which she continues to sell at markets and festivals and through her website and Etsy shop. Over time, Ms. Adams expanded her business to include corporate catering and a growing selection of American and Caribbean foods. 

“When I started, people thought it was just my little cake business,” she said. “Now, my family’s part of it – my son, my husband – and people see that ‘my little cake-making venture’ has turned into something, it’s a real business. It’s something we’ve built together. I think it’s especially good for my son to see me work hard for my business.” 

Ms. Adams credits �鶹��’s REES team and programs like Food Business Pathways and the business incubator program with helping her grow as an entrepreneur.  

“Everyone says they want to help small entrepreneurs grow, but not everyone knows how to help,” Ms. Adams said. “REES does it well. They meet you where you are. I don’t think there’s any other place in the country I could’ve gotten these resources. �鶹�� is unique, and I don’t think residents realize how many opportunities there are out there for them.” 

Ms. Adams first learned about the Food Business Pathways program from a flyer in her development, and that moment was the start of something life changing. Since graduating from the program, she has taken advantage of every program and resource available to her – and putting herself out there has helped fill gaps in her knowledge. 

“Usually when I do something, I put everything into it,” Ms. Adams said. “I was never in competition with anyone else, it was always just me testing myself. My direction is growth.” 

With a successful Governors Island season behind her, Ms. Adams is thinking about the future. She plans to apply for additional vending opportunities, continue to grow Ms. Macs Catering, and also develop workshops to help others entering the food business. 

For more information about �鶹��’s Food Business Pathways Program, visit