Services

Networking Hub
Kitchen Food Ventures (KFV) program will seek to provide a central hub where various types of food-related networking can occur. To that end, the KFV will serve as a physical site of food production, as well as a source of education and information about the specialty food industry. Much of the information-sharing and networking that will happen in the Kitchen is simply the result of one food entrepreneur rubbing elbows with another. This type of informal networking between businesses results in everything from simple “how to” information exchanges, to cooperative commodities purchasing, to more complex, reciprocal business deals. KFV will be a great place not only to learn from others, but to teach others what you have learned!

KFV Program Areas & Staff
In addition to the sorts of informal exchanges of information that will occur daily, KFV will also provide opportunities for more structured business networking and technical assistance. Staff assistance will be available across the following major program areas, and occurs in the form of classes, workshops, and one-on-one assistance.

1. Business & Financial Planning
   Starting and running a successful business requires careful planning, constant reassessment, and extreme flexibility. KFV staff can help specialty food businesses develop practical, working business plans that will help them to remain focused and goal-directed.  Guidance and assistance with financial planning, from preliminary costing analysis, to long-term financial projections will also be provided.   Program staff will link businesses to various sources of financial assistance, from traditional lending institutions, to other area resources, such as the Economic Development Administration (EDA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s).
2. Product Development
   Product development includes everything from “batching up” a home recipe for mass production, to selecting appropriate labeling, packaging materials, sourcing commodities, to applying the basic principles of imaging and positioning to an emerging product. KFV staff in the form of workshops and one-on-one assistance will train business owners on technical and regulatory issues related to food processing, packaging, and labeling requirements. KFV will also assist business owners in gathering direct consumer feedback by coordinating tasting events and focus groups
3. Market Research & Access
   KFV is committed to helping area food businesses investigate, analyze and react to a wide variety of market opportunities. Program staff will stay abreast of current market trends by attending regional and international specialty food shows, networking with an array of specialty food retailers, consultants and practitioners. KFV will provide practical, hands-on training to assist firms in developing those marketing strategies that are best suited to the long-term goals of individual businesses.  Most importantly, KFV will directly link especially promising businesses to regional and national buyers, brokers, and distributors.
4. Computer Technology Services
   KFV staff members will be dedicated to providing businesses with computer access and understanding of the technology essential for today’s businesses. Computers help businesses increase profits by managing their accounting and inventory, designing product literature, marketing their products over the Internet, tracking current market trends, and communicating with suppliers, customers, and other businesses. The Internet is the most inexpensive way of selling and advertising products nationally and internationally. KFV has developed several programs to help small businesses gain access and understanding of the technology essential to today’s successful businesses.

KFV will also be used as a:

• Test kitchen for entrepreneurs needing a place to test new recipes
• Film location for companies, organizations and individuals
• Offsite location for culinary schools partnering with Kitchen Food Ventures.  Each classroom [3] will have a fully equipped kitchen wired for live television

For information concerning Kitchen Food Ventures contact Cherie at (310) 920-7001 or by email kitchenfoodventures@msn.com or cherie@kitchenfoodventures.com