The Feeding Anchors program prepares local BIPOC-owned (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned) catering businesses to be successful doing business with anchor institutions (large institutions like hospitals, universities, and government entities). Caterers receive training and support, have the opportunity to earn a spot on Center for Community Wealth Building’s Curated Caterer List, and join a supportive network of talented food entrepreneurs.
Applications for the 2024 Feeding Anchors Cohort have closed.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONAL CUSTOMERS
CCWB's anchor institution partners have committed to shifting their food purchasing away from corporate caterers and restaurants to local and People of Color-owned food businesses. We are helping them learn how to be more small business-friendly, and we are helping food vendors understand what it takes to meet these large institutions' needs successfully.
Institutions host monthly in-person meetings and events, so catering opportunities are plentiful. Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB) has a curated list of caterers that our institutional partners have confidence in because they know everyone on the list is equipped to meet their needs.
Institutions host monthly in-person meetings and events, so catering opportunities are plentiful. Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB) has a curated list of caterers that our institutional partners have confidence in because they know everyone on the list is equipped to meet their needs.
Series Description:
Through a series of four, 2-hour training sessions in April and May, 2024, monthly meetings through summer 2024, one-on-one consulting as needed, and the Eat.Local.Food. Tasting Event, participants will:
- Learn about institutions’ expectations and how to build repeat business with them.
- Obtain help, as needed, in meeting specific requirements.
- Work as a team to organize Eat.Local.Food., a tasting event for institutional meeting and event planners.
- Practice your “elevator pitch” for Eat.Local.Food.
- Build community with other food entrepreneurs.
- Build relationships with institutions and inform their business practices.
- Learn from caterers currently on CCWB’s catering list.
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Thank you to The Colorado Health Foundation, presenting sponsor for October’s 2024 Eat.Local.Food. Tasting Event! The 2024 Feeding Anchors cohort is ready and excited to meet 200+ meeting and event planners from 60+ institutions and organizations on October 2. Cuisines represented include Caribbean, Nepalese, Mexican, Spanish, Poké, Southern-style smoked meats, and specialty dessert. |
Requirements:
To be accepted into the Feeding Anchors program, you must be an already-established catering business with the capacity and commitment to growing your business by working with large, place-based institutions (universities, hospitals, and municipalities). If you don’t meet one or two of these requirements, but are interested in the program, reach out to talk to us.
- Minimum revenue generation of $25,000
- Two years in business
- Business Website (can be a Google My Business page or other basic landing page)
- Online Menu
- Customer Interface System (a way for people to connect with you other than calling you on the phone, such as online ordering, online interest form, etc.)
- Invoicing System
- Licenses & Liability Insurance, minimum of $1 million
- Submit the 2024 Feeding Anchors Application by March 4, 2024.
- Commitment to excellence.
- Agree to program requirements, including attendance at all training sessions, completion of homework assignments, and reporting revenue growth due to the Feeding Anchors program.
- English proficiency.
Benefits:
- Receive the support you need to be successful partnering with large institutions.
- Opportunity to have your business added to CCWB’s list of caterers and food trucks used by many large institutions.
- Join a supportive community of talented food entrepreneurs committed to each other’s success.
- Grow your catering business to reach your entrepreneurial and life goals.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to
Kimberly Bonner, CCWB Small Business Development Manager
[email protected] / 301.385.0091
or
Karen Bartlett, CCWB's Small Business Director
[email protected] / 303.550.6305
