Findlay Kitchen, a nonprofit incubator for artisanal food start-ups in the Cincinnati area, has begun offering curated boxes showcasing the products of its entrepreneurs.
The new box program — aptly called Findlay Kitchen Curated — seeks to gain more visibility for the incubator’s 71 member companies, most of which are owned by members of historically disadvantaged groups.
“Findlay Kitchen’s vision is to create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, while creating a positive social and economic impact in the community by placing intentional focus on cultivating BIPOC- [Black, Indigenous and People of Color], women- and immigrant-owned businesses,” said Matt Owens, manager of Findlay Kitchen.
Eighty percent of Findlay Kitchen’s member companies are owned by these minority groups. The incubator includes 11 commercial kitchens and provides additional resources, including training and mentorship, to help members start or grow their businesses.
“We are committed to supporting food entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to facilitate an increase in their production, enable growth and create jobs, all while bringing healthy, locally grown and produced foods to the region,” said Owens.
Findlay Kitchen is located within Findlay Market, a landmark, 165-year-old retail venue that is host to multiple specialty food vendors and a weekly farmers market.
The first Findlay Kitchen Curated boxes became available this week and included meat and poultry seasoning from Afromeals; bagels from 513 Bagel Co.; hand-held apple pies from City Belle Fried Pies; cookies from Like Mom’s Only Vegan; a water infusion mix from Nectar Springs; and a bag of sea salt caramels from Sunshine Caramels.
Plans call for the mix of products to change each month to showcase Findlay Kitchen’s diversity of offerings, and each box will include a mix of savory and sweet food items, according to Owens.
“Findlay Kitchen is home to many very talented chefs who make a great variety of products,” said Owens. “We work with our members to choose their best product to include in each box and will rotate the participants so that each month, each curated box will be unique.”
The boxes cost $55, and makers receive the full retail price for their items. Customers can order the boxes online and pick them up at the market. Findlay Kitchen is promoting the boxes through its websites and social media accounts as well as those of Findlay Market.
“We are hoping to target anyone that is interested in supporting BIPOC-, women- and immigrant-owned businesses, supporters of local foods, and foodies familiar with the artisan, handmade products found at Findlay Market,” said Owens.
Plans call for expanding the types of offerings that are included in the Findlay Kitchen Curated boxes, he said, including adding refrigerated and frozen items in the near future. The program is also exploring the possibility of offering delivery- and subscription-based models, while also seeking to add more local makers to its membership.
“We are constantly working to attract new entrepreneurs to our program at Findlay Kitchen, so we'll always have unique artisan products available,” Owens said.
Related: 12 Under 35: Gabrielle E.W. Carter, Cultural Preservationist, Co-Founder, Tall Grass Food Box; Big Y Supports Local Producers Through MassGrown Exchange.
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