Business Development Working Group

Business Development:

Identifies strategies to increase access to economic opportunity and support business development and mentorship for marginalized groups.

  • a. Commercial Kitchens (prioritizing commercial kitchens with business

    development support and affordable rental rates)

    b. Food hub/other forms of local food aggregation

    c. Food incubators, co-packers, and other food manufacturing

  • a. Encourage a continuation of Fresh Food Retail Initiative (FFRI) programming as well as an expansion of who can access funds (to include alternative distribution models such as farmers markets/mobile markets) and transparency around the usage of these funds and their impact

    b. Support the development of a local good food purchasing program providing incentives for institutional purchasing, value chain coordination, and business support for food businesses interested in selling to a large purchaser.

    c. Provide equitable technical assistance to businesses, including support for Federal programs such as SNAP, WIC, FFRI, USDA/AMS Grant and other identified needs.

  • a. Research, identify and address regulatory barriers for food businesses

    b. Advocate for non-restaurant food liaison with access across city government to advise and consult on all policy impacting city food networks