Heartland Foundation Brings Shared Commercial Kitchen to King City
Heartland Foundation’s satellite facility, Think Ahead Works in King City, Missouri, is beginning a new chapter.
Think Ahead Works is adding a co-working commercial kitchen to support local food producers expand their business market. The kitchen at 107 W. Vermont St. will be available to potential business owners, bakers and farmers to give support and equipment to grow their business.
Heartland Foundation President, Dr. Julie Gaddie, said Heartland Foundation is committed to growing healthy and thriving communities.
“Think Ahead Works is a unique opportunity to encourage and support regional economic prosperity through the infusion of growing businesses,” Gaddie said.
There are several steps to creating a licensed cooking space before an individual can sell their product. The idea to offer a fully-equipped kitchen to the King City region came to fruition as Heartland Foundation saw an opportunity to help those wanting to go into business but needed a space to prepare their product.
Abby Bonwell, Think Ahead Works coordinator, said many people share dreams of launching a farm-based food business and there is a continued interest in local foods and artisan-crafted food products.
“While small food businesses are increasing in number, the reality of navigating the ordinances surrounding commercial sales of canned and processed food remains complex and potentially expensive,” Bonwell said. “Heartland Foundation wanted to bridge that gap and offer space in the middle of town [King City] to either start or expand their business.”
Think Ahead Works will continue to offer co-working space as well. The workspace can be shared by entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers. A small conference room is available as an alternative to the distractions of working in a public space or at home.
For more information, please contact Think Ahead Works Coordinator, Abby Bonwell, at 271-7519 or abby.bonwell@heartlandfoundation.org.
Heartland Foundation is a think ahead organization focused on building healthy and thriving communities through education and empowerment.
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