The La Plata Food Equity Coalition (LPFEC) announces the upcoming Food Business Funding Workshop, Tuesday, July 18, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Pine River Library in Bayfield. Come learn about local funding opportunities and the resource landscape for starting and growing your food business. Enjoy a meal catered by Blue Sky Cafe, while connecting with your entrepreneur support organizations. This event is FREE. Interpretation is available.
“As the Food Business Workgroup manager, I am really excited to invite service organizations to meet face to face with rural entrepreneurs in Pine River Valley,” said Erin Jolley, Food Business Workgroup Manager, LPFEC. “We are hearing from rural businesses about their need for resources and we are responding to what was expressed in the surveys. The surveys were a great reminder that while many business services are based in Durango, there are many programs available to rural and other underserved entrepreneurs outside Durango. Business owners are simply unaware of what is available to who. “This event is a great opportunity to connect all the dots!”
Learn about local funding available to businesses, Grants, Services, and Loans, Programs & Support, Region 9 Economic Development, Visit Durango, Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE), Four Corners Slow Money, The Good Food Collective, The Town of Bayfield, and First Southwest Community Fund will be presenting, with time for networking.
“Food security is still an issue in our county, especially among our rural community, BIPOC and seniors,” Jolley said. “What we’re hearing from our vulnerable residents is that building equitable and sustainable economic opportunities is one powerful way to keep families fed, healthy and out of poverty.”
The LPFEC’s Food Business Workgroup provides support to underserved food business entrepreneurs, empowering them to create economic opportunities and increase representation in the community. We surveyed 60 food business owners about the barriers, opportunities, and resource gaps that exist for minority-owned businesses in La Plata County. Entrepreneurs told us that leveraging available funds was among the most important resources they needed to succeed. This workshop is a direct response to that expressed need.
“SCAPE is eager to take the Food Business Survey results and put it into immediate action alongside an incredible group of local Entrepreneur Support Organizations. This input and the collaborative effort highlight the need and want for equitable business solutions in La Plata County,” said Brittany Cupp, SCAPE.
“Through the Food Business Survey, we’ve taken significant steps towards establishing an enhanced and cohesive network of resources for aspiring entrepreneurs in Durango,” said Tommy Crosby, Economic Opportunity Manager-Community Development Department, City of Durango. “This survey has transformed the way service providers collaborate, offering food business entrepreneurs a platform to shape the future of their support system. We are confident that the actions taken from this survey will create exceptional customer service, reduce barriers, and expedite the process of starting a food business in Durango and La Plata County.”
About the La Plata Food Equity Coalition
The La Plata Food Equity Coalition is enhancing health equity for and with La Plata County BIPOC, Senior, and Rural Residents through healthy food access and shared community leadership. We are composed of individual community members, community groups, organizations, agencies and institutions who are committed to collaborative leadership and centering lived experience. Our work is focused on systems change with an emphasis on shifting mental models, power dynamics, relationships & networks, policies, practices, and resource flows. To learn more, visit www.goodfoodcollective.org/lpfec
Info Box:
How to apply: Stipends available to cover the costs of childcare, transportation, or taking time off work to attend
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci5aoGxFpAUy1lNM6SRxntoi9I08xOQzq4dW5lJRYQyPVfyg/viewform