Educational Programs

Starting and growing a food business is hard. Regulations, seasonal fluctuations, access to commercial equipment, capital and business networks – all of these and more create barriers to success for growing food businesses.

Our programs provide business fundamentals, mentorship from industry experts, and networking and community connections so you can build a solid foundation for your food business to thrive.

RGF has partnered with the business experts at Pathway Learn (the educational arm of Pathway Lending, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution) to develop two training programs for food entrepreneurs. We offer both programs thanks to generous funding from the Lawson Family Foundation.

Food Business Bootcamp

Our next 2-day Business Fundamentals Bootcamp will be on Friday, June 21 & Saturday, June 22. Registration now open!

The cost of the Bootcamp is $50 and includes lunch and snacks for both days.

Scholarship funds are available for participants for whom cost is a barrier; please contact us for more information.

Please note: this program, or other equivalent business education, is a prerequisite for the Food Business Incubator Program.

Utilizing the Lean Business Model Canvas, the bootcamp will cover:

  • Entrepreneurship overview

  • Defining customers and value proposition

  • Market research

  • Economic foundations of profit/loss/breakeven

  • Important relationships: Banking, Accounting, Insurance, and Legal

  • Funding fundamentals 

  • Putting it all together into a business plan

  • Food industry-specific strategies, challenges, and support

You will come away from the bootcamp with the foundation you need to make informed decisions about the next steps for your business, no matter whether you’re just starting out or interested in taking things to the next level.

Following the Bootcamp, participants will receive two hours of one-on-one, individualized coaching from a Pathway Business Advisor, plus access to online webinars and resources.

Food Business Incubator Program

Applications are now open for Real Good Foundation’s first-ever Incubator Program. If you are an aspiring or early-stage food business owner committed to growth, this program is designed to help you fulfill your passion and dreams. Work is self-paced and should be completed within six months.

Participants who successfully complete the Bootcamp program, as well as the supplemental support hours – (or those who can demonstrate strong understanding of food business fundamentals through industry experience or another business training course) – will be eligible to apply to be part of the first cohort of RGF’s comprehensive Food Business Incubator Program.

Up to three participants will be selected to move into guided business incubation with intensive support over the following three months, using Real Good Kitchen’s facility.

Selection will be based on demonstrated mastery of the fundamentals introduced in the Bootcamp, market-fit, growth, coachability, and eligibility (defined as those who live or operate a food business in East Knoxville or are part of an underserved group including BIPOC, women, immigrants and veterans).

Overview

  • Up to 150 reduced cost hours of use of RGK’s 2,500 sq ft shared commercial kitchen

  • Tailored business advisory services based upon identified operational needs and financial goals with 

  • One-on-one technical and production assistance and coaching with an experienced food-industry mentor

  • Access to shared resources of Real Good Kitchen’s community of food businesses

  • The opportunity to receive a no-cost loan of up to $1000 to take the next steps with your business

By the end of the program, you will have established the production, marketing, and financial foundations for your business and have a clear growth plan for your future success.

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Your generous contributions help us sustain and expand our educational programs. By donating to Real Good Foundation, you support our local food system and level the playing field for underserved food entrepreneurs. Please consider donating today.