Community Commercial Kitchen Grant Support Package

1. Available Grants for Building or Equipping a Community Commercial Kitchen

Below is a curated list of current and recurring grants that commonly fund commercial kitchen infrastructure, equipment, workforce development, food security, or entrepreneurship.

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A. Federal Grants

1. USDA – Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
Funds food hubs, shared-use kitchens, aggregation centers, and food entrepreneurship spaces.
Award size: $100,000–$750,000.

2. USDA – Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Supports rural community kitchens, incubators, workforce training spaces, and nonprofits.
Award size: Varies by community need.

3. USDA – Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)
Funds equipment purchases for economic development in rural areas.
Award size: Up to $500,000.

4. EDA – Economic Development Administration (Public Works & EAA)
Supports build-outs, construction, and equipment that create jobs.
Award size: Often $1M–$3M.

5. HUD – Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Cities and counties can use CDBG funds for kitchen build-outs in eligible census tracts.
Award size: Varies by state/local allocation.

6. SBA – Community Navigator Pilot / Entrepreneurial Support Grants
Funds entrepreneurship programs and support infrastructure like shared kitchens.
Award size: Historically $1M–$5M.

7. HHS – Office of Community Services (OCS)
Supports community facilities that improve economic opportunity.
Award size: Up to $800,000.

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B. State-Level Grants

These vary by state, but often include:

• State agriculture development grants
• Food system infrastructure grants
• Small business incubator grants
• Community revitalization / placemaking grants
• Workforce development grants
• State-level ARPA capital grants

Examples:

• Michigan: MDARD Value-Added & Food System Infrastructure Grants
• California: CDFA food hub grants
• New York: REDC capital grants
• Colorado: OEDIT rural business grants
• Florida: DEO community revitalization programs

(We can tailor the list to your location.)

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C. Foundation & Private Grants

• Kresge Foundation – community development & food entrepreneurship
• Kellogg Foundation – food systems & racial equity
• Knight Foundation – community spaces and innovation
• Surdna Foundation – inclusive economic development
• Local community foundations
• Regional economic development nonprofits

These often support programmatic funding and equipment.

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2. Grant Application Support Package (What We Provide)

Aldevra can help community groups, nonprofits, and municipalities by offering:

• Equipment quotes ready for upload into grant portals or city RFP packets
• Salient characteristics and detailed spec sheets supporting model justification
• Budget tables tailored to grant requirements (USDA, EDA, HUD, ARPA, etc.)
• Narrative assistance covering:
  • Community need
  • Economic impact
  • Food security
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Workforce development
  • Project sustainability
  • Equipment justification
• Scope of work and implementation plan outlining procurement, installation, and training
• Letters of commitment/support templates for partners, city officials, and stakeholders
• Compliance-ready documentation (food safety, Made in America, environmental compliance)

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3. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Funding

Step 1: Identify the Right Grant
Match the grant to your purpose (equipment, construction, entrepreneurship, food access, rural development).

Step 2: Conduct Needs Assessment
Common data points:

• Number of food entrepreneurs needing space
• Census data on underserved communities
• Local economic impact potential
• Workforce training demand

Step 3: Create Your Project Plan
Include:

• Vision for the kitchen
• Target users (bakers, caterers, nonprofits, youth programs)
• Operational model (hourly rentals, memberships, incubator cohorts)

Step 4: Develop the Budget
Use Aldevra’s equipment budget estimates or request a formal quote.

Step 5: Prepare Supporting Attachments
Common attachments include:

• Letters of support
• Equipment quotes
• Architectural drawings
• Site control documentation
• Operating plan
• Organizational financials

Step 6: Write Your Narrative
Address:

• Community need
• How the kitchen fills gaps
• Equity and inclusion
• Job creation
• Training opportunities
• Long-term sustainability
• Outcome measurements

Step 7: Submit & Follow Up
Track deadlines, request technical assistance, and respond quickly to agency questions.

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4. Budget Worksheet (Grant-Ready Template)

Can be exported to Excel upon request.

• Cooking Equipment: $25,000–$55,000
  Notes: Multi-use items to support diverse users
• Refrigeration & Storage: $45,000–$110,000
  Notes: Required for food safety and multiple tenants
• Ventilation & Fire Suppression: $30,000–$75,000
  Notes: Required for permitting
• Dishwashing & Sanitation: $12,000–$50,000
  Notes: Shared-use kitchens need high throughput
• Prep Equipment: $10,000–$40,000
  Notes: Workforce and entrepreneurship support
• Dry Storage: $5,000–$20,000
  Notes: Lockable, renter-friendly storage
• Safety & Cleaning: $2,000–$7,000
  Notes: Compliance with local codes
• Optional / Specialty: $1,200–$10,000
  Notes: Supports niche businesses
• Technology: $5,000–$20,000
  Notes: Access control and booking systems

Total Estimated Budget: $150,000–$1.2M+
Varies by size and scope.

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5. Grant-Ready Narrative (Plug-and-Play)

This project will create a shared-use commercial kitchen that expands economic opportunity for local residents, supports small food businesses, and strengthens community food systems.

The kitchen will serve as an incubator for entrepreneurs who face barriers accessing licensed facilities due to high up-front costs. Grant funds will be used to purchase commercial-grade equipment—ranges, ovens, refrigerators, prep stations, dishwashing systems, and compliant ventilation—to ensure a safe, fully licensed kitchen accessible to all.

The project will increase food entrepreneurship, create jobs, support underserved residents, expand culinary workforce programs, and improve food access across the region. This investment builds long-term community capacity, enabling residents to participate in the local food economy and improving economic resilience.

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6. Why Fund a Community Commercial Kitchen? (Impact Section)

Economic Development

• Launches new micro-businesses
• Supports food trucks, caterers, bakers, and creators
• Generates jobs and vendor opportunities

Equity & Inclusion

• Reduces barriers for low-income and minority entrepreneurs
• Offers shared equipment rather than high startup costs

Workforce Development

• Provides training sites for youth, adults, formerly incarcerated individuals, and career-changers

Food Security & Resilience

• Enables meal prep for shelters, schools, and nonprofits
• Supports local food distribution and emergency response

Community Revitalization

• Activates underutilized buildings
• Creates programming space for events, classes, and festivals

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7. Sample Attachments Checklist for Grant Applications

• Equipment quote (Aldevra)
• Equipment specifications
• Kitchen layout drawing
• Business plan or operating plan
• Organizational budget and financial statements
• Letters of support (nonprofits, city officials, entrepreneurs)
• Floorplan or site control documentation
• Workforce development program outlines
• Food safety plan
• Sustainability plan
• Draft rental policy or pricing model
• Community impact data

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8. How Aldevra Can Help Your Community Build a Grant-Funded Kitchen

Aldevra supports cities, counties, nonprofits, colleges, and community groups by providing:

• Equipment selection and guidance
• Grant-ready quotes with competitive pricing and compliance support
• Planning consultations for scope, equipment lists, and layouts
• Turnkey procurement including delivery and installation coordination
• Lifecycle support with maintenance and expansion planning
• Experience working with government agencies including VA, USACE, USDA, city and county governments, and tribal entities