Supermarkets As Food Incubators

If you haven't heard about these Kitchen Incubators, they're essentially commercial kitchens for rent.

We often talk about the need for supermarkets to be community centers for the neighborhoods in which they serve. So, a recent trend to help food entrepreneurs, got us thinking how supermarkets could take this idea to the next level: Supermarkets as Kitchen Incubators!

If you haven't heard about these Kitchen Incubators, they're essentially commercial kitchens for rent. According to a recent article in the Miami Herald, several of these Kitchen Incubators are popping up to help food entrepreneurs start their new business.  Whether you want to sell baked goods, open a small restaurant or start a gourmet food delivery service you can cook and package your product in these rented kitchens. Not only do they have the space and supplies you need, they meet the strict preparation and sanitation standards. The cost to rent this space is a just a fraction of what it would cost an entrepreneur to start up their own kitchen. It's the perfect way for new businesses to get off the ground and build a brand before heading out on their own.

And it's this that got us thinking, could supermarkets act as food incubators for food entrepreneurs? The Miami Herald reported that according to Kefren Arjona, managing partner of Commercial Kitchen 305 in North Miami Beach, equipment for a very basic commercial kitchen costs around $150,000. The kitchens can rent from anywhere from $17 to $2 an hour and most usually require a minimum block of hours and a lease.

If this is a cost the Supermarkets can handle, what better way to support their community. Become the place where local businesses not only shop, but where they get their start. Supermarkets could also then have a small display that highlights some of these local food entrepreneurs when they have products to sell. Building relationships and more importantly,  loyalty.