An increase in demand for locally grown and organic foods is reinvigorating the agricultural sector of the Maine economy. To keep up with this market trend, local infrastructure such as warehousing and food processing facilities must be rebuilt. Utilizing Shared Use Kitchens can help fill the gap while allowing local farmers and food entrepreneurs a chance to add value to their products.

Shared Use Kitchens are licensed facilities that provide small scale food entrepreneurs the space to prepare and process value-added food. When looked at from a cost saving perspective, the impact on the small-scale food entrepreneur is very significant. It allows the cost of processing equipment, supplies, space, and services to be shared amongst multiple users. Some kitchens may offer business planning and training. All will be located in service center communities that are easily accessible to food entrepreneurs.

The statewide Shared Use Kitchen Coalition is comprised of businesses, non-profits, community and government representatives who came together to organize around re-building Maine's food cluster infrastructure through investment in local production and distribution facilities. They seek to build awareness, leverage expertise, and coordinate regional development. There are currently five community-based projects underway, including one in Farmington at the Fairbanks School. Several others are in the concept phase, including one being planned by the River Valley Technology Center. For more information on the Shared Use Kitchen Coalition, visit the Threshold to Maine RC&D website or call (207) 657-3131.