Busselton’s Origins Market will help local entrepreneurs realise their creative food production dreams thanks to the provision of an affordable incubator kitchen.
The Incubator Kitchen will allow Origins Market vendors and small businesses to create and prepare their products inside an accessible, fully equipped and affordable commercial kitchen.
Promoting both sustainability and small business growth, Origins Market General Manager Deon Maas said the incubator kitchen had the potential to open up doors that many start-ups wouldn’t otherwise have been able to access due to the immense cost of building and operating a commercial kitchen.
“A number of vendors and small local producers don’t need a commercial kitchen seven days a week. The costs are often prohibitive and a massive barrier to entry, because of the costs to purchase equipment and maintain a license and the associated paperwork,” he said.
Mr Maas said the Incubator Kitchen would reduce food miles and allow small vendors an opportunity to run their entire business from Origins Market.
For just $30 an hour, vendors will be able to rent out the kitchen, cook up their sauces and preserves, baked goods, and meals, package and store them in cool rooms all in the one place.
The Incubator Kitchen has been made possible thanks to funding from the South West Development Commission (SWDC) Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants scheme.
SWDC chief executive officer Mellisa Teede said they were pleased to support local vendors and South West businesses to produce value-added products in the commercial kitchen at an affordable cost.
“Supporting the local economy through business growth and jobs creation is one of our aims, and we are pleased to back an initiative that will help local businesses get new products off the ground,” Ms Teede said.
Opening in November 2021, Origins Market will be a hub for growers, producers, winemakers and artisans to create and sell their produce under one roof, attracting both locals and visitors to this unique market experience.
Incubator Kitchen Expressions of interest are now open to small business owners. To find out more visit www.originsmarket.com.au/incubator-kitchen
