An Economic Development Strategy:
Maine’s Shared Use Kitchen Coalition
· What is a Shared Use Kitchen? A licensed kitchen facility providing small scale food entrepreneurs the space to prepare and process value-added food for consumer marketing. Most facilities also provide training, support and access to other resources and distribution networks.
· Who is part of the Shared Use Kitchen Coalition? At least 5 community based projects are underway in various parts of the state. Additionally, co-packers and other organizations are part of the Coalition. These are also listed.
Penobscot Bay Commercial Kitchen, Bucksport (Fact Sheet)
Fairbanks School Shared Use Kitchen, Farmington (Fact Sheet)
York County Community Kitchen, Saco (Fact Sheet)
Cobscook Marketing Co-op/Community Kitchen, Eastport (Fact Sheet)
(NEW) River Valley Technology Center (Project is currently in the concept stage) Organizers are in the process of gathering data on the feasibility of the project. A Kitchen Use Survey is available here for those that would be interested in using the facility in Rumford.
Pemberton's Gourmet Foods - A Specialty Food Business and Co-packer
· What is the purpose of the Coalition? Coalition members came together to better organize around re-building Maine’s food cluster infrastructure through investment in local production and distribution facilities. The Coalition seeks to build awareness, leverage expertise, and coordinate regional development.
· How can Shared Use Kitchen’s help Maine’s Economy? The food sector was one of the industry clusters recognized in the Brookings Report as one of Maine’s competitive industries. In addition,
o Specialty food segment of the retail food industry if fastest growth segment
o Research supports shared use kitchen facilities’ effectiveness in meeting the needs of rural producers
o Concerns about food security and increased interest in ‘buy local’ calls for closer connections among farmers, producers and consumers
· Who would use Shared Use Kitchen Facilities? Farmers, fishermen, food entrepreneurs who may be low to moderate income, lack the resources to invest in their own production facility, who are looking to test new products, expand production and market reach, and create jobs. Shared Use Kitchens can be the first step towards co-packing and larger scale production capacity.
· What is in a Shared Use Kitchen Facility? While exact contents may differ by facility, equipment can include: commercial ovens, ranges, mixers, kettles, industrial food processors, refrigerators, freezers, dry storage, sinks, among other equipment.
Maine’s Shared
Use Coalition Organizations
These organizations are currently participating in the Coalition. Other
groups, agencies, and organizations are welcome to become part of the Coalition
and can join as the network expands.
York County
Community Action Program (Saco Kitchen Project)
York County Shelter (Saco Kitchen Project)
Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association (Farmington Kitchen Project)
Unity Barn Raisers
Washington Hancock Community Agency (Bucksport Kitchen
Project)
Down East Business Alliance (Bucksport Kitchen Project)
Town of Bucksport (Bucksport Kitchen Project)
Cobscook Bay Resource Center (Eastport Kitchen Project)
Connections Local Food Cooperative (Rumford and Dixfield Kitchen Projects)
Women, Work, and Community
Maine’s Small Business Development Centers
Maine Rural Partners
University of Maine Dr. Mathew Highlands Pilot Plant
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Threshold To Maine RC&D Area
Time and Tide RC&D Area
Down East RC&D Area
Maine Department of Agriculture
Maine Department of Community and Economic Development
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
State Planning Office
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Pemberton's Gourmet Foods
67 Shaker Road, Suite
#9
Gray, ME 04039-9640
(207) 657-3131
(207) 657-2475 fax
For More Information, you may download the following information
Shared Use Kitchen Coalition Fact Sheet
Kitchen Coalition Talking Points
For information on the current Farm Bill please visit the Farm and Food Policy Website.
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