Designed With You in Mind
As a shared kitchen operator, you wear many hats. Your kitchen is the heartbeat of your local food system, empowering culinary entrepreneurs and fueling small businesses. We know a lot goes into planning, designing, launching, and ultimately operating a kitchen that runs smoothly and safely. At The Food Corridor, we see the challenges you face every day, and we’ve made it our mission to make your life easier. Today, we are thrilled to announce that the Second Edition Shared Kitchen Toolkit will be launching soon – a gift to you, the heroes of the shared kitchen community. Grab your cape.
From Humble Beginnings to a Transformative Resource
The original Shared Kitchen Toolkit was released in 2017 with a simple yet profound goal: to offer frameworks, definitions, and a roadmap for shared kitchen operators navigating the complexities of this emerging industry. Created by Ashley Colpaart of The Food Corridor and Dawn Meader McCausland of Fruition Planning & Management, with financial support from the USDA Local Food Promotion Program, this initial edition laid the groundwork for operators to create efficient, innovative, and inclusive shared kitchen spaces. It provided foundational resources such as licensing guidance, operational checklists, and insights into managing diverse kitchen users.
The Toolkit quickly became a trusted resource, supporting operators in streamlining processes and setting up kitchens that could serve as hubs for local food entrepreneurs. As the years passed, the shared kitchen landscape evolved dramatically, with new models emerging and communities of operators pushing the boundaries of what these spaces could achieve. Recognizing the need to reflect this growth and build on the foundation of the 2017 Toolkit, new funding was secured by The Food Corridor through the USDA Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center.
Building on the original work, Colpaart and Meader McCausland began conducting a comprehensive audit of the original document, engaging operators and experts who had used the original resource. Chapter reviewers offered invaluable feedback on what worked, what needed expansion, and what new tools and insights were essential for today’s shared kitchens. Gaps in content were identified, new resources and tools were prioritized, and the vision for a second edition began to take shape.
Behind the creation of the Second Edition Toolkit stands a coalition of dedicated professionals. Through case studies, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data collection, the Toolkit has been designed to address the unique challenges faced by operators and to celebrate innovation within the shared kitchen industry.
A national survey of operators, launched in the fall of 2023, was completed by over 250 shared kitchen operators from around the country. This data served as the foundation to capture critical insights about the industry, including informational nuggets like:
- 55% of kitchen members are women, and 47% are minorities, highlighting the inclusivity of these spaces.
- 38% of incubator kitchens have opened since 2020, reflecting the rapid growth of the industry.
- The most common kitchen users include caterers (87%), bakers (86%), and food trucks (80%).
The survey data, sponsored by The Food Corridor, provides essential benchmarks and insights to guide decision-making and growth within the industry. Additionally, the survey revealed operational challenges shared by kitchen operators, all insights embedded in the pages of the Toolkit:
- Managing scheduling and booking systems efficiently.
- Streamlining invoicing and payment processes.
- Finding the right users and balancing kitchen utilization effectively.
The Second Edition has been designed to directly address these pain points, offering actionable solutions and practical tools to support operators. It is a testament to collaboration and to The Food Corridor’s role as a steward and partner for the shared kitchen industry. We take this responsibility seriously and feel strongly that access to this comprehensive resource helps all communities looking for insights to access the learnings and best practices so they can find success and impact their communities. With input from over 100 contributors – operators, reviewers, and food system experts – the Second Edition Shared Kitchen Toolkit offers an unparalleled level of comprehensive data, insight, and supportive resources not available anywhere else. It represents the collective wisdom of our vibrant community and reinforces our commitment to empowering operators to succeed in their mission of fueling local food systems.
What’s New and Exciting for the 2nd Edition?
The Second Edition is packed with new features and insights, making it a truly transformative resource:
- “NICK Nuggets”: Practical tips and advice from the Network for Incubator and Commissary Kitchens (NICK) community, covering topics like navigating health inspections, deciding whether to install a fryer, managing challenging clients, and maximizing storage capacity.
- Detailed Case Studies:
- Alchemist Kitchen (Sacramento, CA): A story of how strategic fundraising and partnerships enabled access to training and affordable commercial kitchen space. Future plans include the $12 million Alchemist Public Market project, a comprehensive food equity hub.
- Fork Food Lab (South Portland, ME): A journey of resilience and expansion, culminating in a 30,000-square-foot facility that doubled capacity and optimized operations for over 80 food entrepreneurs.
- Expanded Visuals: Over 50 images submitted by operators showcase vibrant kitchens, co-packing facilities, and community events. For example, Real Good Kitchen in Tennessee highlights collaborative energy, while Can-Do Kalamazoo captures thriving local food entrepreneurs.
- Expert Voices: Contributions from industry leaders like:
- Ben Sloan (Tiny Drumsticks Corp): Expertise on budgeting and revenue forecasting.
- Ron Batcher (USDA Facility Design Specialist): Insights on scalable kitchen layouts and compliance.
- Chris Brockel (FEED Kitchens): Facility management best practices.
- Sarah Masoni (Portland Food Innovation Center): Product innovation expertise.
- Nancy Williams (No More Empty Pots): Equity-focused operational strategies.
- Alhen Drillich (Real Good Kitchen): Practical strategies for member management and fostering community.
- Supporting Resources: The Second Edition comes with robust supporting materials to make implementation easier and more impactful:
- A detailed Table of Contents for quick navigation.
- A Full Index of Terms to clarify industry language.
- Comprehensive References to ensure credibility and depth.
- Access to Raw Survey Data for benchmarking and insights.
- Brand-New Chapters: Expanding on the original content, this edition introduces new chapters covering:
- Pricing Models to help operators develop sustainable revenue strategies.
- Market Research to better understand and target users.
- Financial Planning and Management for profitability and resource allocation.
- Facility Design and Equipment for scalable and efficient layouts.
- Member Recruitment and Management to build a thriving, engaged community of kitchen users.
These features address daily challenges and equip kitchens for long-term success, reflecting the collaborative and community-driven spirit behind the Toolkit.
Take A Look At What’s Inside:
Living Our Mission
At The Food Corridor, our mission is to enable efficiency, growth, and innovation in local food systems. The Shared Kitchen Toolkit is a direct extension of this mission. By making it available for free and hosted on our website, we aim to break down barriers, foster collaboration, and empower operators to drive change in their communities.
While the Toolkit will be available to all on our website, we are also developing ways to pay for a digital or print-on-demand version of your personal library. Additionally, organizations like economic development groups, Regional Food Business Centers, state departments of agriculture, and incubator networks can take advantage of our Licensing Program to digitally distribute the Second Edition Toolkit widely and amplify its impact.
Join Us in This Exciting Chapter
This Toolkit was truly a labor of love. Thank you to the dedicated team, especially Ashley and Dawn, for shepherding this project to completion. Your hard work has delivered a resource that will serve the shared kitchen community for years to come.
The launch of the Shared Kitchen Toolkit is just the beginning. Together, we’re building a future where shared kitchens are more than just spaces; they’re engines of innovation, pillars of community, and homes to countless success stories.
Stay tuned for the official launch date. Thank you for your tireless dedication and for being at the heart of this thriving industry. Let’s take this next step together!
