October 26, 2016
Provincial Investment in Community Kitchens Supports Local Food Entrepreneurs
Five community centres across the province will receive a share of nearly $95,000 to purchase and install commercial-grade kitchen equipment to support local food entrepreneurs, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.
“Many people may not realize their community centre can be a hub for food product development, helping entrepreneurs make the leap from a home-based business to a larger-scale commercial enterprise,” said Eichler. “This is an important investment in community infrastructure to support local value-added processing.”
These commercial community kitchens have received funding for new equipment:
- Riverview Community Centre (Winnipeg) – nearly $42,000 for refrigerators, freezers, convection oven, food processor, mixer, dehydrator, juicer, vacuum sealer and a pH meter;
- Gilbert Plains Community Hall – nearly $12,000 for a convection oven and two refrigerators;
- Hadashville Recreation Centre – more than $10,500 for a convection oven, freezer, dough sheeter and mixer;
- Austin Community Hall – more than $20,000 for a combi-oven and mixer; and
- Teulon Rockwood Centennial Centre – nearly $10,000 for a cooler, freezer and mixer.
“We are really excited about the opportunities that will stem from the new kitchen equipment,” said Beth Hutchinson, recreation director, Teulon-Rockwood Recreation Commission, which operates the centennial centre. “It allows us to attract more local bakers, chefs and other entrepreneurs who love food. With the support of the grant, we hope to increase hall rentals and, more importantly, expand the services provided to the community.”
Commercial community kitchens can be rented by startup food entrepreneurs who may not have the resources to invest in their own production facilities. All commercial community kitchens are inspected and have a valid food-service establishment permit.
“These venues are a place for community members to come together and share in special events,” said Eichler. “Another benefit from this investment is the commercial-grade equipment will be available for dinners, social events and other celebrations, enriching the social and cultural experiences of our communities.”
A directory of commercial community kitchens and more information about who should use them is online at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/food-and-ag-processing under Quick Links. For more information on Manitoba’s agricultural programs and services, follow the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovAg.
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