In Search of New Kitchen Renters
We’re looking for up to five new businesses to join our kitchen, depending on their size and time needs. We are looking only for CPG food businesses with either retail food or wholesale food manufacturing licenses. We love businesses using local ingredients or produce, but it is not required. We offer a very affordable rate and no long-term lease is required. We offer support, one on one help from kitchen staff to help with getting licensed or getting a business started, and can refer you to other organizations that can help with specific needs. We also offer workshops for new businesses just getting started. We would love to support and rent to more businesses that are BIPOC owned. We have availability mostly weekdays and weekday evenings/nights/overnights. We have some weekend availability as well. Please note that our kitchen is not gluten/allergen-free.
In order to apply as a user of our kitchen you must have or plan to obtain:
1. The relevant license for your business from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or Ramsey County Dept of Health in some cases. The first step for most people in getting this license is to reach out to the MDA licensing liaison at (651) 201-6081 or fill out a request here. Please note we only rent to retail or wholesale food manufacturers, no catering, private chef, or food truck licenses will be accepted.
2. Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate (via MN Department of Health). Initial application instructions can be found here.
3. Commercial liability insurance with The Good Acre listed as an additional insured (min. $1 million each general and product).
4. Please fill out our online User Application here to tell us more about your business and needs: https://forms.gle/A6pNCPTHvEsyJZo78
Our rental rates are $15/hr billed on a monthly system with a 5-hour monthly minimum rate of $75/month (5 hours monthly minimum at $15/hr). There is also a $30/month cleaning supplies fee and a $200 one-time, refundable, security deposit for new renters. Click here to see a list of appliances and small wares in our kitchen.
If you have any questions, please contact Camille Mefleh, our Kitchen Programs Manager, at [email protected]. You can also check out the Minnesota Department of Ag’s Roadmap to Starting a Food Business. It is a very helpful and comprehensive resource to use as you develop your business. You can find it here.
