Have you read Fortune’s recent article about the innovative ways restaurants are improving eating and community experiences around the country? If so, you may have heard about a new food hall opening in Tukwila.
The Local Food Team recently spoke with Kara Martin, Food Innovation Network (FIN) Program Director, about the grand opening and importance of the Tukwila Village Food Hall to food entrepreneurs in King County.
The Food Innovation Network’s mission is to enhance the local food system, increase access to healthy food, create pathways for success, and support resource- and idea-sharing that engages the diverse communities of South King County.
This spring, FIN will open Tukwila Village Food Hall, the future home of the FIN’s Food Business Incubator to help entrepreneurs launch food businesses, providing training, mentorship, subsidized commercial kitchen access, and support with permitting, licensing, menu planning, and marketing.
The Food Hall will support local entrepreneurs who are an important part of King County by providing access to a commercial kitchen, restaurant space, and a community hub – a place where people can gather to learn about and celebrate the community’s rich food traditions.
The new food hall facility will help low-income women, immigrants, and refugees launch and build food businesses. The commercial kitchen will accommodate up to twenty businesses, nine of which will sell prepared food in the dining area. The names of those businesses will be announced soon, so please keep an eye out for more details.
“An important goal of the Tukwila Village Food Hall is creating economic opportunity in King County,” said Martin. “Food businesses have traditionally been a way for many striving immigrants and low-income families to make a living, but this community has not had access to direct market channels.
“In addition, the Food Hall goes beyond economic opportunity and extends to food access,” Martin said. “The Food Hall will extend the season for local farmers who sell at our farmers market and farm stand because they will be able to move inside and sell their products.”
Join FIN and other community members at the grand opening of the Tukwila Village Food Hall this spring. FIN welcomes everyone to the grand opening to support the food businesses located in the Tukwila Village Food Hall. Sign up for FIN’s email updates to stay in the loop.
Are you interested in supporting the Tukwila Village Food Hall? Help FIN by making a gift online, joining their crowdfunding campaign, or participating in opportunities and projects that will help make this community dream a reality. Visit their website for more details.
To learn more about the Food Business Incubator, watch this video and visit FIN’s website.