Our First Year of Real Good Kitchen
Dear Friends,
On Saturday, January 8th, Real Good Kitchen’s first anniversary quietly came and went. We celebrated in the same way we do most Saturdays–we spent the day in the kitchen working alongside our members, building our business as they build theirs.
The day itself may not have been anything special, but the year is a different story. In the face of so many struggles and lessons learned, risks taken and hard-won successes, 2021 was an eventful year for us and our members.
In our first year of business, we served 43 businesses, 28 of which were brand new starts. We were home to 31 businesses owned or co-owned by women and 13 owned or co-owned by people of color. We provided over 400 hours of individual mentorship and saw 5 businesses graduate to bricks-and-mortar spaces. It was a remarkable year.
Last year affirmed our belief that if you build a welcoming and inclusive community, provide affordable space and equipment, and offer support and resources, more people will have the opportunity to be food entrepreneurs.
And there’s something else I want you to know. We haven’t just been working inside the kitchen. We’ve been working out in our community as well.
Last fall, we hosted 3 successful pop-up markets. These events helped us and our members, but they also gave us the opportunity to welcome and feed our neighbors. At every market, we were proud to offer a $5 hot meal, and we will continue that commitment this spring.
In December, in partnership with our friends at Beardsley Community Farm, we were able to prepare, package and distribute 250 hot meals. Through the generosity of our member businesses, local farmers and producers and amazing volunteers, we created a nourishing, locally sourced meal for our neighbors and other community members.
We think we've had an incredible first year, and we can't wait to see what our second year brings--more new businesses, more success for our members, more growth and community connections for all of us. More opportunities to make change through food.
It's thrilling to be part of this kitchen we're building. Thank you for your interest in Real Good Kitchen. Thank you for supporting our members (and the important work of our friends and neighbors).
With gratitude,
Bailey Foster - Founder of Real Good Kitchen