1. Evaluation Purpose & Approach
The purpose of this evaluation plan is to measure the effectiveness, equity impact, operational performance, and economic outcomes of the Shared-Use Community Kitchen.
The evaluation uses a mixed-methods approach combining:
- Quantitative performance metrics
- Qualitative feedback from users
- Financial and operational analytics
- Equity and inclusion benchmarks
- Partner and stakeholder reporting
This approach ensures compliance with ARPA, CDBG, USDA LFPP, and EDA grant reporting requirements and provides ongoing guidance for improving program delivery.
2. Evaluation Questions
The evaluation will answer the following key questions:
Access & Equity
- Does the kitchen increase access to licensed production space for underserved entrepreneurs and nonprofits?
- Are low-income, minority, women, and veteran entrepreneurs equitably benefiting from the program?
Business Outcomes
- Are users launching or expanding businesses as a result of the kitchen?
- Does the kitchen contribute to business revenue growth, new products, or new markets?
Workforce & Skills Development
- Are participants gaining food safety certifications and workforce skills?
- Are local employers reporting improved job readiness from program graduates?
Food System Strengthening
- Are farmers increasing value-added production and market access?
- Are nonprofits able to increase meal output for food access programs?
Economic & Community Impact
- Is the project contributing to local job creation and economic recovery?
- Is the kitchen financially viable and sustainable long-term?
3. Evaluation Indicators (KPIs)
Access & Participation
- Number of entrepreneurs renting the kitchen
- Percentage of LMI, minority, women, and veteran users
- Number of nonprofits using the facility
- Number of farmers accessing value-added processing
Training & Workforce Metrics
- Number of individuals receiving ServSafe or food safety certification
- Number of individuals receiving culinary workforce training
- Job placement rates
- Employer satisfaction
Business Development Metrics
- Number of businesses launched or expanded
- Revenue growth of participating businesses (self-reported)
- Number of new products developed
- Number of local markets accessed
Food System Metrics
- Pounds of local produce processed
- Number of value-added products created
- Meals prepared for community nutrition or emergency feeding programs
Operational Metrics
- Hours of kitchen utilization
- Revenue generated from rentals
- Number of incubator graduates
- Number of workshops or coaching sessions delivered
4. Data Collection Methods
Administrative Data
Collected through booking system, intake forms, and user applications:
- Demographics
- Business type, stage, and needs
- Rental hours
Program Tracking Tools
- Training attendance logs
- Certification rosters
- Coach and mentor session records
- Equipment and facility usage logs
User Surveys
- Pre- and post-program surveys
- Equity and barriers survey
- Annual user satisfaction survey
Partner Feedback
- Workforce board employer surveys
- Farmer cooperative input
- Nonprofit food access partner reports
Financial & Operational Data
- Rental revenue
- Maintenance and operations costs
- Staffing hours
- Growth in cost recovery over time
Case Studies & Narrative Data
- Business spotlight stories
- Participant success stories
- Farmer value-added production stories
5. Reporting Schedule
Monthly
- Kitchen utilization report
- Maintenance and safety compliance checks
- Rental revenue dashboard
Quarterly
- KPI dashboard
- Demographic and equity data review
- Training and workforce development summary
- Partner check-in meeting and report
Semi-Annual
- Business growth updates
- Value-added production summary (farmers)
- Community meal program outputs
- Adjustments to programming based on results
Annual
- Comprehensive evaluation report
- Full financial and operational sustainability analysis
- Impact report including economic, equity, and food system outcomes
- Recommendations for improvements
6. Evaluation Roles & Responsibilities
Kitchen Manager
- Oversees data collection and logs
- Ensures user compliance with reporting requirements
- Produces monthly operational updates
Program Coordinator
- Manages training program documentation
- Collects surveys and feedback
- Supports quarterly KPI reporting
External Evaluator or Partner (Optional)
- Conducts qualitative interviews
- Reviews evaluation data for bias and accuracy
- Produces annual evaluation summary
Fiscal Manager
- Provides financial performance updates
- Tracks grant expenditures and match requirements
7. Alignment with Federal Grant Frameworks
ARPA
- Economic recovery
- Support for underserved populations
- Workforce development
- Small business stabilization
CDBG
- Low-to-moderate income (LMI) benefit
- Microenterprise support
- Job creation and retention
- Community facility development
USDA LFPP
- Strengthening local food systems
- Increasing value-added processing capacity
- Farmer training and producer-to-consumer market expansion
EDA
- Regional economic competitiveness
- Entrepreneurship ecosystem development
- Economic resiliency and job creation
- Infrastructure for business development
8. Continuous Improvement Strategy
Evaluation data will be used to:
- Adjust training offerings based on user needs
- Improve scheduling to increase utilization
- Identify gaps in access for specific groups
- Strengthen partnerships with economic development, agriculture, and workforce agencies
- Support long-term sustainability planning
Feedback Loops Include:
- Monthly staff meetings
- Quarterly stakeholder reviews
- Annual strategic planning with partners
