Adding a commercial kitchen and classroom is a second-phase target for Coteau Community Market. Approximately a year after the market is open, we'll begin the work of building or obtaining a commercial kitchen that will be available for use by co-op members.
Having a commercial kitchen available for use will help local cottage food producers make the jump to selling their products in Coteau Community Market, as all value-added products must be produced in a commercial kitchen in order to be sold by someone other than the producer (in this case, in order to be sold by Coteau Community Market).
Attached to the kitchen will be a teaching space, allowing us to expand our outreach by providing classes for community members and producers. Education is a large part of the mission of the co-op, and we need the space to provide that education in.
There's a rural business development grant available that we'll may qualify for and will apply for in order to fund the kitchen and teaching space expansion. We'll begin work on that application once the initial capital campaign is finished.
Stay tuned for updates!