ITHACA — The Friends of Ithaca Farmers Market will get $109,255 in federal funds to create a shared commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs looking to expand business and sell at places like the farmers market, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced recently.
The grant will give nearly 20 vendors access to equipment and technical expertise.
“Too few small food entrepreneurs have the resources to scale their operations to the level they aspire,” Schumer said in a release. “I boosted funding for the Appalachian Region Commission in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law I led to passage in the Senate with investments like this in mind to support the success and growth of Upstate NY’s small businesses. I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law is continuing to deliver for Ithaca and the Southern Tier.”
Feasibility studies have shown an affordable commercial kitchen would support the growth of local food entrepreneurs, Schumer said. The federal grant will be matched $85,149 from individual donors, $25,000 from the Park Foundation and $17,000 from the City of Ithaca. The location for the shared-use kitchen will be at 700 W. Buffalo St.
“Food manufacturing has emerged as a growth sector for Ithaca and Tompkins County over the past several years and has one of the highest rates of women and minority business owners and the lowest thresholds to entry,” said Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo.
