September 2024
In this issue...
??? A Note from Ashley
We’ve got some exciting news to share with you, and I can barely contain my enthusiasm! ?? First up, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of the first-ever Golden Whisk Awards—our way of recognizing the important work happening in the shared kitchen world. Do you know someone who’s been doing amazing things in our community? Maybe it’s you? Now’s the time to nominate them (or yourself!) in one of these awesome categories:
Get those nominations in by October 7th, 2024, and remember—only one nomination per form! Submit your nominations here. And then, get ready to celebrate the winners at our First Annual Golden Whisk Awards, happening on November 15th at the Toulouse Theater in New Orleans. It’ll be the grand finale of the Shared Kitchen Summit, and trust me—you won’t want to miss this! (P.S. Don’t forget, you’ll need tickets!)
But wait, there’s more! Some of the nation’s Regional Food Business Centers are beginning to open up applications for the Business Builder Subawards, which can give you a serious boost ?? in your kitchen or to your food business members. These grants (ranging from $5,000 to $50,000) can help you with things like:
Review the awardees from North Central here to get a sense of the program, including our friend and recipient Square One Kitchens in Fargo, ND. Congratulations, Casey! Currently the Appalachian and Heartland regions are open, with the rest of the Center’s applications opening soon. Refer here to find your Regional Center and to monitor grant status.
At The Food Corridor, we’re here to support you, cheer you on, and help you shine ?. Whether it’s through these awards or grants, we can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish. Let’s keep growing, innovating, and celebrating together!
Best regards,
?? Kitchen Community Spotlights
?? La Cocina, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering low-income food entrepreneurs, recently partnered with Outside Lands festival providing a platform for three of La Cocina's aspiring food entrepreneurs to gain firsthand experience as vendors at a major event. Outside Lands, a three-day celebration of music, food, and culture, features vendors exclusively from the Bay Area, aligning perfectly with La Cocina's mission to support and uplift local culinary talent. (ABC 7 News)
??? Hope & Main, a nonprofit culinary incubator in Warren, Rhode Island, will benefit from a new 9.4-MW solar farm developed by Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy. This project, part of Rhode Island’s Virtual Net Metering program, will repurpose a former golf course, to provide renewable energy exclusively to schools, nonprofits, and municipalities. By accessing affordable renewable energy, Hope & Main can reduce its operational costs through energy savings, allowing the kitchen to reinvest those resources into supporting local food entrepreneurs. This partnership aligns with the incubator’s mission to foster a sustainable and resilient local food economy while supporting Rhode Island’s clean energy goals. (Solar Power World Online)
??? The Commissary: Downtown Kitchen Incubator, a collaborative community offering shared kitchens and food industry business support, is enhancing its facilities to better serve aspiring entrepreneurs. Led by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and supported by a grant from Empire State Development, The Commissary received $25,000 through Springboard, a regional rapid prize competition launched last year. This program aims to support individuals in Greater Buffalo, Greater Rochester, and the Southern Tier who are contributing to the region’s entrepreneurial growth. The funds will be used to upgrade kitchen equipment, ensuring members have the tools and resources needed to build successful food businesses. New additions include advanced ovens, expanded prep stations, and specialized equipment such as a commercial food processor and pizza oven.?(The Commissary: Downtown Kitchen Incubator Newsletter)
?? Findlay Kitchen, an incubator for food entrepreneurs looking to start, grow and scale their businesses, partnered with Jim’s International Market to display and highlight a range of consumer packaged goods from the members of Findlay Kitchen. Members of Findlay will have access to the market’s demo kitchen, where they can share samples and connect with shoppers directly. This partnership aims to provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to get their products on shelves more quickly and to scale their operations with lower overhead costs. (City Beat)
?? Farmers Market Pros Tent Talk Podcast
A great discussion with Brijet Myers of Farmers Market Pros, and Ashley Colpaart of The Food Corridor, on why a shortage of kitchens could mean fewer vendors at farmers markets and how incubator kitchens are becoming a game-changer. Get tips on how to thrive in shared kitchen spaces and discover why attending the Shared Kitchen Summit might benefit you! Check out Episode 308: Ashley Colpaart: Prepping Partnership: Farmers Markets and Shared Kitchens.?
?? NICK Nugget
NICK Answers:?
?? If you haven’t yet, go straight to your governing entity that your permits come through. Do that before anything else! They can be your ally or your biggest barrier.
?? Before signing a lease or purchasing a building, consult with relevant local authorities like the city, county, or state, along with the planning, fire, public works, and health departments, to ensure your plans comply with all regulations and have their support. Also, consider meeting with a business owner of a similar concept to learn from their experiences with similar challenges.
?? It took 4.5 years to develop the idea for my kitchen. I dedicated substantial time to market research, securing letters of interest, and hosting networking events. Local economic development organizations played a crucial role in the launch, and the health department approved the plans before the building department did.
Considering opening a shared kitchen? Our Shared Kitchen 101 Workshop offers essential knowledge and resources to help you understand, plan, and launch a shared-use kitchen in your community. Learn more.
领英推荐
?? Industry News
?? Kansas Governor Announces $5.6 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure (Sunflower State Radio) ?
?? New Mobile Kitchen Lets Food Entrepreneurs Test Equipment Before Buying (Food Service Equipment Reports) ?
?? Rethink Food x EVLovesNYC Partnership Set to Boost Meal Production Across NYC (The Daily Californian)
???? Chef Leaves Michelin Star Restaurant to Mentor Aspiring Entrepreneurs (Prestige)?
? Food Design Firm in Idaho Launches “Hub of Culinary Innovation” with New Test Kitchen (Food Service Equipment Reports)
?? Upcoming Events
Wisconsin food entrepreneurs can learn from industry experts about creating scalable, investable business models while connecting and exploring partnerships with local businesses, buyers, and distributors. This event offers a prime opportunity to network, market products, and advance success in the local food community.
?? Madison, Wisconsin?
?? September 25th-26th, 2024
Michigan Incubator Kitchen Network Fall Meeting This shared kitchen industry meeting will feature guided tours and insights into the programming offered by the KZoo Station and Grand Rapids Downtown Market incubator kitchens. Attendees will benefit from opportunities for guided discussions, networking, and a Q&A session with kitchen managers, all aimed at fostering peer-to-peer learning and enhancing business development within the network.
?? Grand Rapids, Missouri?
?? Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
Tailored for value-added agriculture manufacturers establishing food ventures, this event is ideal for kitchen clients or members who have a million questions on how to get started. Attendees will access industry professionals and government officials to get answers on packaging, labeling, fill control, process control, food safety, distribution, and more!
?? Missoula, MT
?? Tuesday, October 15th, 2024
The Shared Kitchen Summit -? New Orleans Time is running out for the nation’s only event in the shared kitchen industry and there are less than 50 tickets left! This summit brings together the largest and most inclusive network of shared kitchen owners, operators, service providers, and food industry professionals. Learn about the future of the industry, establish partnerships with key players, exchange best practices with peers, and enhance your operations through workshops and expert panels.
We announced our agenda last week and here’s a sneak peak:
?? Food Innovation Centers: Key Technical Partners for Shared Kitchens
?? Developing a Kitchen Incubator Program: Step-by-Step Guide
?? Screaming in the Walk-in: Crowdsourcing Frustrations and Solutions
? Plus, more! See the full agenda here.
?? New Orleans, Louisiana
?? November 12th-15th, 2024
Tickets are selling out in record time! Get yours.
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