An affordable commercial kitchen will open at Busselton’s Origins Market in Western Australia’s Southwest later this year, giving small food businesses the opportunity to advance to the next level.
“The Origins Market incubator will provide opportunities for bakers, caterers and other food entrepreneurs to start or grow their business, and for local producers to move into value-adding,” Regional Development minister Alannah MacTiernan said.
“Initiatives like this help to reduce barriers to entry for small businesses and allow home-based entrepreneurs to get off the ground or take their business to the next stage.”
Expressions of Interest for hiring the certified kitchen are now open. It will be available to start-ups, businesses and market vendors who want to create culinary value-added products.
For $30 an hour, aspiring food producers will be able to cook and package sauces, jams, baked goods and meals for market in the accessible and fully equipped facility – featuring preparation and washing areas along with cold and frozen storage.
The facility at Busselton’s Origins Market will also be available for primary producers who want to develop the value-added segment of their business, when the market opens its doors in November.
“This is a fantastic and unique opportunity for South-West businesses, and I would encourage them to submit their expressions of interest,” Southwest Region MLC Jackie Jarvis said.
“Origins Market will promote all the amazing things our region is known for, right in the heart of Busselton.
“This is a great chance for our renowned food producers to showcase their products to visitors and locals alike.”
The fit-out of the kitchen and two business incubator stalls to support start-ups to sell their products, was supported with a $70,000 Regional Economic Development (RED) grant from the Western Australian government.
“We look forward to seeing fabulous products supported by the incubator kitchen appearing in pantries across WA and beyond,” MacTiernan said.
“The McGowan government’s RED grants are supporting local businesses and local jobs right across regional WA.”
The RED grants program supports locally driven projects that contribute to the economic growth and development of regional Western Australia.
To submit an Expression of Interest in using the incubator kitchen or to be a part of the Busselton’s Origins Market, visit http://www.originsmarket.com.au.