Food, the soul and heart of a culture and community. While kitchens are usually the center of a home and allow for a soul to be fed.
Donna Riddle and other Union County Farmer’s Market (UCFM) members hope to do just that through the addition of the Heritage Community Kitchen.
“We wish to help small culinary businesses flourish, creating a healthier and sustainable community through food access, security, equity and education,” Riddle said.
The Heritage Community Kitchen is a commercial kitchen located inside the Union County Farmer’s Market Pavilion at Heritage Park.
Along with a commercial kitchen, there is also a dry storage room, classroom, outdoor event space, a walk-in refrigerator and freezer that can be rented separately.
This kitchen was funded by the CAFB grant that was received in order to mitigate supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with this grant, county support has allowed the farmer’s market to make an investment in the infrastructure needed to continue supporting our local food chain as well as striving entrepreneurs wanting to professionalize their business.
The UCFM was established in 2011 by a group of community leaders wanting to see local produce be readily available to community members in a centralized area. Over the past 11 years, the market has continued to expand in numerous ways.
Along with the addition of a farmer’s market pavilion and commercial kitchen, the UCFM has also been able to hire a farmer’s market manager, assistant manager and kitchen manager.
The commercial kitchen is available for rent to a variety of business types. The market would like to see new businesses that are in the beginning stages to use the area in order to professionalize their business and allow them to diversify their marketing outlets, such as grocery stores.
Inside the kitchen, there is a variety of equipment for new businesses, caterers, food manufacturers, food trucks and bakers to use.
In order for a business to use the facility, there are a few quick and easy steps they will need to take such as a food safety certificate. For more information on the requirements needed and how to start the process business owners can reach out to Leanah Nah, the kitchen manager, at heritagefmk@gmail.com.
Along with working as the Heritage Community Kitchen Manager, Nah is also the owner of Mama Lana’s Kitchen where she provides private cooking lessons and event catering as well as offers a line of prepared meals.
Nah had always dreamed of cooking full time and the Heritage Community Kitchen has allowed her to do just that.
“This helps people get off their feet,” Nah said. “People that have had hopes and dreams of starting a business but the idea may have been too far-fetched.”
The UCFM hopes to allow business owners such as Nah, an area where they can allow their businesses to grow and flourish.
The UCFM, along with the help of the Union County Business and Professionals Associations hopes to give any and all help to pre-venture entrepreneurs, new/first year business owners, existing businesses and part time business owners.