The Feeding Anchors program supports local food businesses to build relationships with institutional customers. Participants receive training, support, and community. They can be added to a curated list of caterers and food trucks used by many large institutions and join a supportive network of talented food entrepreneurs.

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[ Photo from Eat.Local.Food ]

Building Relationships with Institutional Customers

Institutions have committed to shifting their food purchasing away from corporate caterers and restaurants to local and People of Color-owned food businesses. We are helping them learn how to be more small business-friendly, and we are helping food vendors understand what it takes to meet these large institutions' needs successfully.

Institutions host monthly in-person meetings and events, so catering opportunities are plentiful. Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB) has a curated list of caterers that our institutional partners have confidence in because they know everyone on the list is equipped to meet their needs.

Series Description:

Through a series of four, 2-hour training sessions in April and May, 2024, monthly meetings through summer 2024, one-on-one consulting as needed, and the Eat.Local.Food. Tasting Event, participants will:

• Learn about institutions’ expectations and how to build repeat business with them.
• Obtain help, as needed, in meeting specific requirements.
• Work as a team to organize Eat.Local.Food, a tasting event for institutional meeting and event planners.
• Practice your “elevator pitch” for Eat.Local.Food.
• Build community with other food entrepreneurs.
• Build relationships with institutions and inform their business practices.