Connecting and Scaling Food Entrepreneurs

Although the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center concluded operations in July 2025 following the cancellation of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service funding, the following resource links allow food businesses to locate events, technical assistance providers and funding.

Please note that the Center itself is no longer providing technical assistance, grants, events, or direct services.

Resources

All / Annual Events, Conferences & Summits / Contact Information / Recommended Newsletters and Listservs / Technical Assistance Providers & Programs

Technical Assistance Providers & Programs

The Food Corridor, the number one shared kitchen management software designed for commissary kitchens and incubators. tyler@thefoodcorridor.com, https://www.thefoodcorridor.com/

KitchenEDU, a dedicated learning hub from The Food Corridor designed to help shared kitchen operators build strong, sustainable businesses and vibrant communities through resources, workshops, toolkits, and events. tyler@thefoodcorridor.com, kitchenedu.com

WSDA Regional Markets Program works to strengthen the economic viability of small and direct-marketing farms and ranches, and to increase the availability of healthy, locally-grown foods for all Washingtonians and support robust local food and agricultural economies. Our programs offer information, resources, training and technical assistance, and regulatory guidance to farms and local buyers of Washington agricultural products. agr.wa.gov/farmfoodbiz, smallfarms@agr.wa.gov

OSU Food Innovation Center

Contact: sarah.masoni@oregonstate.edu

The Food Innovation Center (FIC) Agricultural Experiment Station is located in Portland, OR. The FIC is a resource for client based product and process development, shelf life studies, food safety, and consumer sensory testing. Research work is conducted to develop innovative processing, packaging and traceability technologies, and address food safety challenges. The FIC also engages in scholarly research in agricultural economics and marketing. Our clients include producers, processors, marketers, and entrepreneurs. We are committed to taking food products to market and advancing Northwest foods.

https://fic.oregonstate.edu/fic/about-us
WSU Cultivating Success, Courses offered by WSU Extension for farm and food business entrepreneurs for farm business planning and to connect to farm business support resources. kate.smith@wsu.edu https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/

Getting Your Recipe to Market (GYRM) is an educational and advising program that has been helping start up food + beverage entrepreneurs for 19 years. The 3 month program and one on one advising cover food science, regulations, packaging, labeling, marketing, costs, and more. Imagine starting a food business with confidence, knowing you have thought through all the steps necessary to launch into the marketplace. GYRM is partnered with food industry experts, OSU’s Food Innovation Center, and New Seasons Market to take you step-by-step in producing, promoting, and selling your product.

Contact: jill.beaman@pcc.edu

https://www.pcc.edu/small-business/getting-your-recipe-to-market/

Western Regional Center To Enhance Food Safety

Located at Oregon State University, the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety is one of four US regional centers that were created to coordinate food safety training programs resulting from the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/wrcefs/outreach-training

Annual Events, Conferences & Summits

The Shared Kitchen Summit, the largest gathering of shared kitchen operators, partners, and food system leaders. The Summit is a multi-day experience packed with expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and celebrating the industry. events@thefoodcorridor.com, sharedkitchensummit.com

Recommended Newsletters and Listservs

The Food Corridor’s Shared Kitchen Connect – a monthly newsletter for shared kitchen news, resources, and best practices. https://us12.list-manage.com/contact-form?u=1bdcdda904cc0ed52c07f1210&form_id=fefaee81bb13b55fa9fe8475634614d7

Contact Information

Shared Kitchens, Tyler Sangermano, tyler@thefoodcorridor.com

Jill Beaman, Food Business advisor at the SBDC
jill.beaman@pcc.edu

Washington direct-marketing farms: Micha Ide, small farm direct marketing specialist / WSDA Regional Markets Program
micha.ide@agr.wa.gov / 360-867-8686

Funding Opportunities

Future Roots Loan Program – https://www.futureroots.org/apply-for-a-loan

Chobani Impact Fund – https://www.chobani.com/impact/our-causes?tabValue=community-wellness

Innovia Foundation – https://innovia.org/

Clif Family Foundation – https://cliffamilyfoundation.org/

Technical Assistance Providers & Programs

University of Idaho Extension – https://www.uidaho.edu/extension

Idaho Preferred – https://idahopreferred.com/

Future Roots- https://www.futureroots.org/

Western Rural Development Center – https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce – https://www.idahoveterans.org/

Small Business Development Center – https://idahosbdc.org/

Idaho Department of Ag- https://agri.idaho.gov/

FARE Idaho – https://www.fareidaho.org/

Cultivating Success- https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/idaho

Buy Idaho – https://www.buyidaho.org/

Susan Jacobson, Clearwater County Economic Development https://www.clearwatercounty.org/departments/economic_development/index.php

Idaho Hispanic Foundation – https://www.idahohispanicfoundation.org/

Idaho Food Works – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/

Western Community Assessment Network – https://www.westerncan.org/

Rural Roots – https://ruralroots.org/

Idaho Hunger Relief Taskforce – https://www.idahohunger.org/

Boise State Center for School and Community Partnerships – https://www.boisestate.edu/project-scales/

Idaho State Department of Education, Farm to School Program – https://www.sde.idaho.gov/cnp/ftsp/

Techhelp – https://www.techhelp.org/

Introduction to Farm Succession Planning – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/intro-to-farm-succession

Ag Entrepreneurship – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/agricultural-entrepreneurship

University of Idaho Extension Events – https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/events

Idaho Preferred Online Courses – https://idahopreferred.com/courses/

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce Food to Farm – https://www.idahoveterans.org/foodtofarm

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurship Resources – https://www.idahoveterans.org/entrepreneur-resources

Cultivating Success Branding & Marketing Workshops – Branding & Marketing Workshops – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/programs

Webinars & Recordings

Inland Northwest Artisan Grains Podcast – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/artisan-grains-podcast

Navigating Food Safety Certifications for Enhanced Product Value and Marketability – https://youtu.be/1Oldf_4Tg44?si=tv9yaDH-5BCkSBlD

Understanding Priorities for Local and Regional Food Systems and Developing Action Plans for the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Region – https://youtu.be/mU15LwlcBMU

Cultivating Success Recorded Webinars – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/recordedwebinars

Future Roots Regional Asset Map (Coming Soon) – https://www.futureroots.org/regional-asset-map

Recommended Newsletters and Listservs

Idaho Food Works – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/ifw-newsletter

Idaho Small Farm and Direct Marketing Newsletter – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/newsletter-signup

Idaho Preferred Email List – https://idahopreferred.com/

Ryzosphere – https://theryzosphere.io/

Contact Information

Colette DePehelps, cdephelps@uidaho.edu

Impact Stories

Idaho Food Works Regional Food Business Center Pages – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/regionalfoodbusinesscenter

Annual Events, Conferences & Summits

Idaho Field to Fork Festival – https://www.fareidaho.org/field-to-fork

Selkirk- Pend Oreille Food Summit – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/selkirk-pend-oreille-food-summit

Harvest and Hearth Conference – https://www.adaswcd.org/harvest-and-hearth

Funding Opportunities

Future Roots Loan Program – https://www.futureroots.org/apply-for-a-loan

Chobani Impact Fund – https://www.chobani.com/impact/our-causes?tabValue=community-wellness

Innovia Foundation – https://innovia.org/

Clif Family Foundation – https://cliffamilyfoundation.org/

Technical Assistance Providers & Programs

University of Idaho Extension – https://www.uidaho.edu/extension

Idaho Preferred – https://idahopreferred.com/

Future Roots- https://www.futureroots.org/

Western Rural Development Center – https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce – https://www.idahoveterans.org/

Small Business Development Center – https://idahosbdc.org/

Idaho Department of Ag- https://agri.idaho.gov/

FARE Idaho – https://www.fareidaho.org/

Cultivating Success- https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/idaho

Buy Idaho – https://www.buyidaho.org/

Susan Jacobson, Clearwater County Economic Development https://www.clearwatercounty.org/departments/economic_development/index.php

Idaho Hispanic Foundation – https://www.idahohispanicfoundation.org/

Idaho Food Works – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/

Western Community Assessment Network – https://www.westerncan.org/

Rural Roots – https://ruralroots.org/

Idaho Hunger Relief Taskforce – https://www.idahohunger.org/

Boise State Center for School and Community Partnerships – https://www.boisestate.edu/project-scales/

Idaho State Department of Education, Farm to School Program – https://www.sde.idaho.gov/cnp/ftsp/

Techhelp – https://www.techhelp.org/

Introduction to Farm Succession Planning – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/intro-to-farm-succession

Ag Entrepreneurship – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/agricultural-entrepreneurship

University of Idaho Extension Events – https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/events

Idaho Preferred Online Courses – https://idahopreferred.com/courses/

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce Food to Farm – https://www.idahoveterans.org/foodtofarm

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurship Resources – https://www.idahoveterans.org/entrepreneur-resources

Cultivating Success Branding & Marketing Workshops – Branding & Marketing Workshops – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/programs

Webinars & Recordings

Inland Northwest Artisan Grains Podcast – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/artisan-grains-podcast

Navigating Food Safety Certifications for Enhanced Product Value and Marketability – https://youtu.be/1Oldf_4Tg44?si=tv9yaDH-5BCkSBlD

Understanding Priorities for Local and Regional Food Systems and Developing Action Plans for the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Region – https://youtu.be/mU15LwlcBMU

Cultivating Success Recorded Webinars – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/recordedwebinars

Future Roots Regional Asset Map (Coming Soon) – https://www.futureroots.org/regional-asset-map

Recommended Newsletters & Listservs

Idaho Food Works – https://www.idahofoodworks.org/ifw-newsletter

Idaho Small Farm and Direct Marketing Newsletter – https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/newsletter-signup

Idaho Preferred Email List – https://idahopreferred.com/

Ryzosphere – https://theryzosphere.io/

Introducing the 2nd Edition Shared Kitchen Toolkit!

The Shared Kitchen Toolkit is the ultimate resource for shared kitchen operators, providing best practices, expert insights, and practical tools to help kitchens thrive. Originally launched in 2017, this newly updated 2nd Edition reflects the latest industry trends, challenges, and solutions, making it the most comprehensive guide available for launching, managing, and growing a shared kitchen.

Food entrepreneurs make up the backbone of the local food economy. Successful food entrepreneurs engage with various networks, facilities, programs, and service providers, but the path is often disconnected and overwhelming. Guidance and resources provided by governmental agencies, institutions, programs, and service providers are key for business development, but they are often disconnected, duplicative, and misaligned with the needs of small and mid-sized enterprises.

The Center serves the food entrepreneur community by:

Connecting providers with necessary services

Updating existing services to cater to the need of our regional food entrepreneurs

Disseminating resources and programs through new and existing networks

Building, refining, and delivering mentoring content and programs appropriate for all pathways, with a particular focus on elevating access for underserved audiences