March 28, 2024 2:32 AM
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Ribbon Cutting Event for Prescott Farmers Market’s NoCo Community Kitchen

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Prescott Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for NoCo Community Kitchen at 216 N. Cortez Street from 4:00-5:00pm. As a program of Prescott Farmers Market, NoCo Community Kitchen provides an affordable, licensed facility where small food businesses create products for the public to enjoy.

In 2018, Prescott Farmers Market conducted a feasibility study for a local food center that would provide additional sales outlets for its vendors. Surveys showed that vendors did not have a reliable place to safely prepare the food they sold at the market. In researching further, Prescott Farmers Market discovered that the lack of commissary kitchens was an issue across Yavapai County. Since then, Prescott Farmers Market’s staff and board of directors prioritized opening a commissary (shared) kitchen to address this issue.

As a critical resource for businesses that must use a certified kitchen to operate, NoCo Community Kitchen (NoCo) increases economic opportunities for those excluded from traditional career paths. Melody Frazer of Kay’s Best Garlicky Seasoning makes garlic spice blends for retail sale and, without a certified kitchen, she ”was in a real bind!” Melody recalls, “We were ready to produce, but needed a commissary kitchen in order to sell wholesale and interstate.” When NoCo opened in the fall, Kay’s Best was one of the first businesses to begin utilizing the facility. “Not only do we have kitchen space, the Small Business Incubator program (and ongoing support) has provided us with education, community connection, and business resources.”

Facilities like NoCo help mitigate barriers to business development, like access to capital, making them essential entry points for new food businesses. Shared kitchens are an invaluable part of the local food system–a collaborative network that integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management to enhance our community’s environmental, economic and social health. What makes NoCo different from other shared kitchens is the intentional connection to Prescott Farmers Market, a natural partnership at the intersection of local food production, processing, distribution and consumption. The weekly farmers market is a potential sales outlet for kitchen users as well as a supply chain for local ingredients.

The facility also offers an incubator program, a four-week course that provides entrepreneurs with the foundational knowledge necessary to run a successful food business. Throughout the program, entrepreneurs benefit from technical assistance, access to industry experts, and one-on-one mentorship. Participants complete the program with all of the information needed to create a business plan and operate a successful business. The incubator program is also vital to building community in the kitchen. Participants are encouraged to share their knowledge, experience, and mutual support to make NoCo a true “community” kitchen.

The NoCo Community Kitchen is named after its historic location at 216 North Cortez Street in Prescott, Arizona. NoCo opened its doors to entrepreneurs in October of 2023 and is equipped with nearly everything a food entrepreneur needs. Local businesses currently utilizing NoCo Community Kitchen include KitchAcademy, Kay’s Best Garlicky Seasoning, Mac’s Hot Dogs & Gyros, Campgrounds Tea & Coffee and Gingerly Catered. In addition to small food businesses, NoCo Community Kitchen also welcomes educational institutions, non-profit organizations, caterers, special events programs, and community collaborations.

As a vital part of the economy, the mission of Prescott Farmers Market is to support and expand local agriculture, cultivate a healthy community and increase access to affordable local food. PFM is a nonprofit organization and a Qualifying Charitable Tax Credit Organization with the State of Arizona.

For more information, visit https://prescottfarmersmarket.org/noco-community-kitchen/ or call 928-458-4163.

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