Greensboro, NC – The Kitchen Empowerment Program, led by Greensboro Farmers Market, Inc., (GFM), is food entrepreneur training initiative for women-owned food businesses to support and encourage women in the community and to aid in the development of independent income. The program offers entrepreneurial resources for women preparing low risk, pre-packaged food and is made possible with support from the Women’s Professional Forum Foundation.
Through the Kitchen Empowerment Program, GFM seeks to provide a full scope of education, encouragement, community and the much needed marketplace feedback to women-owned businesses. GFM is a professional organization led by women with a community of supportive and successful women entrepreneurs. Currently GFM supports over 115 small businesses with more than half owned and operated by women.
Applicants should be prepared to research, learn and adhere to local, state and federal food safety regulations and guidelines that impact their product. All applicants are expected to use locally-sourced ingredients in their prepared food. Examples include sourcing fruits, vegetables, honey, dairy and eggs from local farmers within 100 miles of Greensboro. Resources are available to assist in locating ingredients and building relationships with local suppliers.
A Beginner or an Advanced class will be available to applicants and all participants of the program will receive food safety training, small business classes in merchandising, branding and marketing, mentoring and a specially designated farmers market table to guest vend. The Kitchen Empowerment Program will cover the cost of the classes, guest vendor application fee as well as the one time guest vendor opportunity. Please note that production costs at a certified shared-use kitchen is estimated at $15/hour and is not covered by the Kitchen Empowerment Program.
Beginner or Advanced? Which class is right for me?
BEGINNER: If you have an idea, a recipe, or have started your own food business and need guidance, health inspection help, or use of a kitchen…this is the program to learn the basics.
ADVANCED: If you currently have a food business and want to take it to the next level, this advanced class will help with marketing and branding, promotional ideas, brokers and moving your product to the next level.
Applications and deadlines may be found below and at GFM’s Website here: https://www.gsofarmersmarket.org/kitchen-empowerment-program-for-women/
BEGINNER CLASS Application & Information:
Beginner Application – APPLY HERE! – Deadline: December 18, 2019
Beginner Class Schedule:
– Jan 16th, 2020: Terry Meyer with “Marketing / Branding” from 6 – 8 PM
– Jan 27th, 2020: Dani Black with “Reality Based Business Planning and Costing Your Product” from 6 PM – 8 PM
– Shelby Mclean, Guilford County Health Department for Q&A
– Safe Plates with Vincent in February
Beginner Guest Vending Requirements & Potential Dates: Must show pass Safe Plates, attend all classes, and complete application in order to be able to Guest Vend at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. Guest Vending available dates are designated at end of Feb/ March.
ADVANCED CLASS Application & Information:
Must be Safe Plate or Serve Safe Certified for Advanced Class
Advanced Application – APPLY HERE! – Deadline: February 21, 2020
Advanced Class Schedule:
– March 12, 2020: Terry Meyer with “Marketing / Branding” from 6–8PM
– March 23, 2020: Dani Black with “Reality Based Business Planning and Costing Your Product” from 6 PM – 8 PM
Advanced Guest Vending Requirements and Potential Dates: Must show certificate, attend all classes, complete applications in order to be able to Guest Vend at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. Dates available are designated in April or May.
Read more about the program’s facilitators, educators, and mentors HERE.
About the Market:Greensboro Farmers Market provides Greater Greensboro with opportunities to purchase and learn about local foods in a friendly and diverse social setting. GFM encourages and supports the growth of local foods and artisan goods businesses to improve Greater Greensboro’s economy, support better health through healthy eating and build social and community connections. The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, 501 Yanceyville Street, is located at the corner of Lindsey Street and Yanceyville Street across from the War Memorial Stadium and operates year round on Saturdays 7 am to 12 pm and seasonally on Wednesday 8 am- 12 pm. The Market is an indoor facility with free admission, WiFi, and plenty of free parking as well as an ATM on site.
Contact: Lee Mortensen, Executive Director, gsofarmersmarket@gmail.com, 336-373-2402