Specialty food store Lakewinds Food Co-op in Minnesota and nonprofit the Good Acre have teamed up to start a local, artisanal food incubator called Maker to Market. The yearlong program works with manufacturers, farmers and retailers to help launch product ideas.
Participants will have access to a commercial kitchen and local produce. They will also receive consulting support about their brand, packaging, design and retail. To be eligible, companies must be a local or regional food producer that does not already have a presence in retail, reports St. Paul Pioneer Press. Full Story
Related: Twin Cities Sustainable Food Initiative Draws Startups, Incubators; How the Food Incubator Movement is Helping Specialty Food Businesses.