Entrepreneurship Through Community-Based Food Processing Centers Mary Pat Carlson Shared-Use Food Processing Facilities….Consultant Farm Market Kitchen Incubator

Shared-Use Food Processing Facilities Commercially, state approved kitchens shared by a variety of food entrepreneurs –Specialty Food Businesses –Canners –Chef –Caterers –Bakers –….the list goes on….

Encouraging Entrepreneurship Food Processing Business Incubation There are many types of shared-use kitchens….not all are business incubators. Business Incubators provide not only access to facilities, but also business assistance and technical support...”hand holding”. Business incubation can be actual facilities…or incubation without walls.

Models of Food Processing Business Incubators Models vary from community to community –University based –Government based –Community based –Faith based –Non-Profit –For- Profit –Coop –Virtual –Business Incubator Model ………..and more

The right fit for the community Assess community needs Draw on existing resources Target the needs of the entrepreneurs Build a network of strong partners Be actively connected to the community

Growing Businesses…. Start up stage… often entrepreneur with a “dream” Providing targeted training, support, and one-on-one coaching helps move from dream to reality. Realty means they are a real business and need to function like a “real business”!

Food Processing Businesses…creating jobs From “start-up” to becoming a “real business”…often results in expanded job creation –Direct job creation…production assistance, marketing and distribution partners….. –Indirect…packing, labeling, ingredients… Encourage the concept of buying local as a value adding concept

Wisconsin’s Growing Network of Shared-Use Food Processing Centers Ten years ago…..3 facilities Today….15 and counting –Rural –Urban –Start-Up Businesses –Co-Packing Facilities

Success & Job Creation Wisconsin has a very strong network of Business Incubators and are recognized nationally for encouraging and supporting businesses….resulting in job creation. The Farm Market Kitchen has worked with over 100 businesses since 2002… Example of success….Nutorious Nuts –International Business Graduate Finalist

Food Processing…not just food Creative, Innovative, artistic,….food is a component of self and community expression Draw on the culture, history, emotion of food to add value to products created and the community/region the food is created. Most food processing entrepreneurs are very artistic…creative….and passionate about their “creations”….use this to promote your community/region.