The RAIN Incubator Kitchen provides producers, processors, caterers, bakers, and other food innovators with commercial-grade space and equipment needed to develop products, scale production, and enter new markets<\/p>\n
NEWS RELEASE
\nSAULT STE. MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE
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\nThe Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, officially unveiled the new RAIN Incubator Kitchen this week\u00a0at Harvest Algoma.<\/p>\n
The unveiling brought together local entrepreneurs, agency partners, funders, and food-sector leaders to celebrate the opening of a fully equipped, health-inspected commercial kitchen designed to accelerate food entrepreneurship in the region.<\/p>\n
The RAIN Incubator Kitchen provides producers, processors, caterers, bakers, and other food innovators with commercial-grade space and equipment needed to develop products, scale production, and enter new markets.<\/p>\n
\u201cEntrepreneurs don\u2019t need significant capital to launch a food business anymore,\u201d said David Thompson, VP of Programming at SSMIC.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis facility gives them a compliant, professional space so they can get out of their home kitchens. It removes one of the major barriers that has held local food businesses back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The facility features a blast freezer, commercial and convection ovens, steam kettle, tilt skillet, dehydrator, vacuum sealer, proofer, heat sealer, mixers, slicers, and dedicated prep space. Flexible rental options and advisory services through the Innovation Centre support both early-stage and expanding businesses.<\/p>\n
Several entrepreneurs toured the space during today\u2019s launch, including early users such as The Daily Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving access to the RAIN Incubator Kitchen gives us room to grow,\u201d said Madelin and Miranda Meyers, partners at The Daily Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can now produce our fresh pressed organic juices in a professional space and begin expanding into smoothies and smoothie bowls. This kitchen removes the barriers we faced at home and opens the door for us to scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
How Entrepreneurs Get Started <\/p>\n
Idea-stage entrepreneurs<\/p>\n
Entrepreneurs ready to produce<\/p>\n
\n\tContact RAIN for support with concept development, product planning, and funding options: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.
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\n\tBegin onboarding directly through the Incubator Kitchen web page.
\n\tAfter submitting the required documentation and selecting a rental plan, users will complete a mandatory orientation covering safety, sanitation, and equipment use.
\n\tStart the onboarding process here.<\/a>
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