Greensboro, NC – Kitchen Connects GSO, an incubator program to grow prepared foods by local entrepreneurs (www.kitchenconnectsgso.com) is now open for applicants with a deadline of December 1, 2018.

This 6 week training program is a partnership of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, Out of the Garden Project, and the Guilford County Cooperative Extension. This collaboration with the City of Greensboro is made possible through a USDA Local Food Promotions (LFPP) grant.

The program is seeking applicants who will bring diversity of food ideas, ethnic culinary products, and prepared foods that can help support under served communities and create new economic opportunities for the City of Greensboro. Kitchen Connects GSO brings together Greensboro’s first shared use kitchen with food safety and small business training classes to create a unique local food incubator program. The program’s goal is to provide opportunities for new value-added product startups to begin or expand their operations and increase the public’s awareness of locally produced foods.

Participants will receive reduced-cost training in Safe Plate, a food safety and handling certification program and basic small business classes, marketing and merchandising.  After training, participants will be prepared to operate in a shared-use kitchen and have the opportunity to guest vend at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market’s designated Kitchen Connects GSO tables.

Applicants with ideas and recipes for small batch, processed foods using locally-sourced ingredients are encouraged to apply through the website: www.kitchenconnectsgso.com.  Applications are due by December 1st, 2018. Scholarships are available based on income.

About the Market
Greensboro Farmers Market, Inc. (GFM) operates the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on behalf of the City of Greensboro. GFM is a 501c3 nonprofit. GFM provides greater Greensboro with opportunities to purchase and learn about local food and 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.

Location and Hours of Operation
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, Mid-Week Market 8 am- 12 noon (April 18– December 19). The Market is an indoor facility with free admission, WiFi, and plenty of free parking as well as an ATM on site.

Contact:
Ashlee Furr, Local Food Coordinator
gfmlocalfood@gmail.com

Lee Mortensen, Executive Director
gsofarmersmarket@gmail.com
339-373-2402