Kitchen Connects GSO, an incubator program to grow local entrepreneurs (www.kitchenconnectsgso.com) is now open for applications for the Fall 2018 class. 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.

Kitchen Connect GSO brings together Greensboro’s first shared-use kitchens 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 “facilitated” by East Market Development, marketing and merchandising.  After training, participants will be prepared to operate in a shared-used kitchen. The Market will offer specially designated Kitchen Connects GSO tables for products to be sold.

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 August 10, 2018. Scholarships are available based on income. The links for each shared-use kitchen can be found through links on the website.

The program is particularly interested in farmers, diversity of food, and ethnic culinary products that can help support underserved communities and create new economic development for the City of Greensboro.

In addition to Kitchen Connects GSO program, the 3-year LFPP grant allows the Market to establish a 900 square foot, well equipped demonstration kitchen in the Cooks Corner Kitchen, a major expansion to the commitment to connect farmers, food and friends. Local chefs and community members will be invited present healthy recipes, using local market-sourced ingredients, for public demonstrations and tastings.

You can read more about our successful “Food Entrepreneurs” in featured 1808. Ready more HERE.

About the Market
GFM 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.

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 8 am- 1 pm (April 18 – December 19). The Market is a 9,000 square foot indoor facility with free admission, WiFi, and plenty of free parking as well as an ATM on site.

Contact: 
Ashlee Furr
gfmlocalfood@gmail.com

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