The Good Food Catalyst

🌱 Calling All Chicago Food & Beverage Entrepreneurs! 🌱 The second and final round of the Good Food Fund Grant Program is now open! Applications are being accepted from August 15 – September 13, 2024. Eligible food and non-alcoholic beverage businesses in Chicago can apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. 🏙️ If you’re looking to expand, innovate, or need a boost, this is your chance! Don’t have a business license? Assistance is available to help you get started while you apply. This grant is made possible by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago BACP. Additionally, a 3% interest loan or line of credit is available to help you grow your business sustainably, with applications open until December 2024. 💼 Ready to apply? Click the link below to get started! https://lnkd.in/d9SZacG For more information or assistance, contact [email protected] or call (872) 710-0035. Let’s continue to nourish our communities, one business at a time. 🍽️ #GoodFoodOnEveryTable #ChicagoEats #SmallBusinessSupport

Today at Good Food is Good Medicine, we had the pleasure of working with the EMT cohort at JumpHire, sharing practical tips and hands-on experience in healthy eating. Jenny Wu, our Program Coordinator, led a session that focused on making nutritious meals with simple, affordable ingredients. We came together to prepare a colorful spread of fresh fruit, hummus, and organic juice, showing how easy it can be to make healthier choices every day. These future EMTs now have the knowledge and tools to nourish themselves on a budget, setting them up for success both during their training and in their future careers. Healthy eating is something we believe everyone should have access to, and by partnering with organizations like JumpHire, we’re helping to spread that knowledge and support throughout our communities. It’s about coming together, sharing what we know, and making a positive impact on the lives of those around us. Good Food is Good Medicine, and today was a reminder of how powerful healthy eating can be when we do it together. The Good Food Catalyst #GoodFoodIsGoodMedicine #HealthyCommunities #CommunityEducation #HealthyEatingForAll #NourishTogether

At JumpHire, we believe that a well-rounded education extends beyond technical skills. Today, our EMT cohort had the pleasure of hosting Jenny Wu, Program Coordinator from Good Food is Good Medicine, who shared invaluable insights on how to maintain a healthy diet on a budget. Jenny guided our participants through the preparation of a nutritious spread, including fresh fruit, hummus, and organic juice. This hands-on experience not only highlighted the importance of healthy eating but also demonstrated how accessible and affordable it can be with the right knowledge. To make it even easier for our cohort members to continue these healthy habits, we provided each participant with a free 10-piece Tupperware set, empowering them to prepare and store their meals efficiently. As our cohort members continue their training and eventually step into their roles as EMTs, maintaining their physical and mental well-being will be crucial. Learning to fuel their bodies with the right nutrients will not only enhance their performance during training but also sustain them throughout the demanding challenges of their careers. Partnerships like the one we have with The Good Food Catalyst are key in supporting our mission to equip our participants with the tools they need for long-term success, both professionally and personally. #JumpHire #GoodFoodisGoodMedicine #HealthyEating #EMTCohort #CareerSuccess #HealthyLiving

Discover Freshness at the Chatham Farmers Market! 🌱 Every Saturday, the Chatham Farmers Market brings together the best of local agriculture and artisanal products. Located at Mahalia Jackson Court, 79th & State St., the market is open from 9 AM to 1 PM, offering a vibrant community space to shop, connect, and enjoy. Why Visit the Chatham Farmers Market? Fresh, Local Produce: Enjoy seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs, picked at their peak for maximum flavor and nutrition. Artisanal Goods: Discover handmade crafts, baked goods, and unique items that you won’t find anywhere else. Community Vibes: The market is a hub for the community, providing a space to connect with neighbors, support local farmers, and enjoy a Saturday morning outdoors. Market Details: When: Every Saturday from 9 AM - 1 PM Where: Mahalia Jackson Court, 79th & State St. Open Until: October 5th Whether you're looking to stock up on fresh ingredients, explore unique handmade goods, or simply enjoy the community atmosphere, the Chatham Farmers Market has something for everyone. Don't miss your chance to support local farmers and enjoy the best our region has to offer. Register on Eventbrite for a chance to win a $35 coupon: https://lnkd.in/dYJ8NiqH

Applications are now open for Accelerate for Growth (A4G) 2024! APPLY HERE: https://lnkd.in/gb93vu3F A4G is Good Food Accelerator's annual cohort program, running for more than 10 years! This is our second-level cohort, created for food and beverage businesses ready to grow. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gBKMmmat

REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gNHHqYxp Are you interested in learning the basics of opening up a food truck in Chicago and beyond? Join us for a webinar with food truck expert J. Enrique Nañez, founder of Chuchos Red Tacos! He will walk us through his experiences opening multiple food trucks, city requirements, and capital needs. There will be time at the end of the session to cover your specific questions. See you on Zoom on July 10th.

SIGN UP NOW: https://lnkd.in/gkQZsBDb Market Access Program (MAP), Good Food Accelerator's retail-readiness workshop series, is kicking off its 2024 programming on June 4th. Getting things done on your checklist is hard! MAP will keep you accountable to finish all those retail-related goals you've been procrastinating, while learning alongside fellow founders. Classes are remote on Zoom.

FoodLab Chicago is pleased to offer our Early Start Food Incubator program to food service entrepreneurs. We will provide in-depth interpersonal insightful, educational program sessions designed for high growth/high impact chefs, restauranteurs, food truck vendors, bakeries, and caterers looking to take their businesses to the next level. The incubator is hosted in a commercial kitchen on Chicago's south side. For more information contact the FoodLab team at [email protected]

Launch your dream food business with The Hatchery Incubation Cohort—a dynamic, six-month journey crafted to fuel your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Embark on a transformative experience where Lean Startup methodologies and a vibrant community propel your business from conception to market. Gain crucial insights, craft a solid business plan, secure necessary licenses, and position your brand for growth—all while surrounded by supportive peers and expert guidance. Applications are open now! Seize this opportunity and let The Hatchery Chicago equip you with the tools and resources needed to hatch your business successfully. Actively participate, stay engaged, and watch your vision come to life.

Join the Good Food Accelerator for their NEW Sizzling Summer Festival Workshop! Learn the inside scoop on festival success as a food or beverage vendor! Sign up HERE: https://lnkd.in/gPXNhxz6 🌟 Taught by Erika Durham and Ashley Walker