Maryvale’s first low-cost commercial kitchen is launching new restaurants and food businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Rebekah Sanders
602-663-0045 cell
Maryvale’s first low-cost commercial kitchen is launching new restaurants and food businesses
A dozen women entrepreneurs are receiving one-on-one mentoring and fees well below market rate at Local First Arizona’s third community kitchen
PHOENIX (Oct. 24, 2023) — Twelve women food entrepreneurs are the first to begin using Local First Arizona’s newest community kitchen in Maryvale. Their products and services include event catering, sandwiches, jellies and jams, healthy pre-made meals, desserts, candied nuts and a Caribbean food truck. The women include immigrants from Haiti, Cuba, Mexico and West Africa.
Local First has incubated more than 200 restaurants and food businesses since 2017 through its Good Food Boot Camp and two community kitchens in Mesa and South Phoenix.
Now entrepreneurs in the West Valley will benefit from this third kitchen location, in partnership with Rio Salado College, at 3631 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85019.
TV crews may film and interview the women at work in the kitchen as they prepare their foods – chopping, sauteeing, baking, etc.
One or more of the women are scheduled to be in the kitchen from Oct. 25-Nov. 3 at a variety of times ranging from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. Several are fluent in Spanish.
To schedule a tour or interview, please reply to Rebekah Sanders at rebekah@localfirstaz.com or 602-663-0045.
Attached is a list of the 12 food businesses using the kitchen. Photos taken by Local First are available for publication here.
Local First’s fully licensed commercial kitchens are aimed at removing barriers for people who otherwise could not afford to pursue their own food businesses. The restaurant industry is notoriously difficult, and other shared kitchens in the Valley typically charge $40 or more per hour, in addition to fees for storage, cookware and other necessities.
Local First community kitchens charge only $8/hour in the first year and $12/hour in the second year, in addition to free storage, cookware and 1-on-1 mentoring from experienced restaurant veterans. The kitchens are equipped with walk-in refrigerators, freezers, dry food storage, ovens, stoves, pots, pans, a dedicated wash area and other items.
Because of the lower hourly rates, entrepreneurs have time to hone their flavors, menus, portion sizes and pricing, while building a strong foundation for their finances, supply chain and marketing. The expertise provided by Local First food entrepreneurship staff increases their chances of success.
Graduates of Local First’s food programs have gone on to win acclaim, including Chilte, named one of the best new restaurants in the U.S. by Bon Appetit magazine; Pachamama, named one of the best places to eat in the Southwest by Yelp and in Phoenix by Thrillist; and more. Graduates can be found selling their products at farmers markets and specialty retailers, managing food trucks and serving customers in brick-and-mortar locations.
Yuma and Prescott have followed in Local First’s footsteps by opening their own community kitchens following our “Kitchen In A Box” guide.
Local First believes in strengthening our local food system and cultivating inclusive communities by supporting locally owned businesses.
Attached is a list of the 12 food businesses using the Maryvale kitchen. Currently, at least one business will be available to be interviewed in the kitchen every day from Oct. 25-Nov. 3.
To schedule a tour, interview an entrepreneur using the kitchen or send a photographer, media may contact Rebekah Sanders at rebekah@localfirstaz.com or 602-663-0045.
Photos of the kitchen in action are available here.
Food entrepreneurs interested in joining a Local First community kitchen can apply at www.goodfoodfinderaz.com/community-kitchens.
About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. Local First’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action and food access. Local First is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally-owned businesses.
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