La Plata County is not only an awesome place to enjoy the outdoors, but one of the other sometimes overlooked unique characteristics is the amount of locally owned food businesses. Our communities are lucky to have access to an array of food options, but are the businesses as fortunate in finding the support needed to grow? That’s where the La Plata Food Equity Coalition (LPFEC) comes in.

This new community partner led organization is on a mission to enhance health equity for La Plata County BIPOC, Senior, and Rural Residents through healthy food access and shared community leadership. SCAPE has partnered with the LPFEC Business Workgroup to help food businesses have access to resources and support in this important and powerful economic sector.

According to a recent survey conducted by the LPFEC, the top 3 general business resources needed by local food entrepreneurs are a Resource List, Local Grants, and Networking Opportunities, in addition to a commissary kitchen. See full comprehensive report HERE. With these important findings, the Food Business Workgroup has taken action in building ways to support these identified needs. 

Starting with a Food Business Funding event July 18th in Bayfield. This event will explain funding opportunities available locally, including grants, startup loans, and the resource landscape for starting and growing a food business. RSVPs can be made HERE.

The Food Business Workgroup has also partnered with Manna Soup Kitchen to help design a shared kitchen program. Vetted referrals will be sent to Manna so underserved businesses can utilize their commercial kitchen, culinary support, and wraparound services. The Manna Shared Kitchen program pilot launched last week and the first food business will begin using the kitchen this summer.

Next month, the Food Business Workgroup has also partnered with West Slope Startup Week as the event’s Inclusivity Partner to provide language services pre, during, and post event to ensure equitable access to West Slope Startup Week content and resources for rural entrepreneurs. Event details HERE.

Incredible community leaders like Good Food Collective, First Southwest Community Fund, City of Durango, San Juan Basin Public Health, Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center, Local First, La Plata Family Center Coalition, CSU Extension, and Pine River Shares have come together to support these valuable businesses and SCAPE is proud to be apart of that work.