ECDI Food Fort
We've got the ingredients to make your food-and-drink business a success.
Need resources to launch or grow your food or beverage business? We’ve got you covered!
Incubation Services
Offered statewide
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Wrap-around support for a growing business:
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One-on-one advisory consulting
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Business model scaling
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Liaising with regulatory agencies
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Access to responsible, affordable loan capital
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Industry certification courses
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Procurement opportunities
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Industry-specific curricula and courses
Food Fort Commercial Commissary
Located in Columbus
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Dry, cold, and frozen storage
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Three rentable kitchen spaces
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Two prep spaces
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Dish washing areas
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Mobile cart and truck storage
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Complete with water and electricity
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Gated and monitored
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Discounted propane
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Ice on site
Interested in starting a food service business or food truck and aren’t sure where to start?
Make an appointment with our Food Business Specialist, Bob Kramer. He can review the process for starting a food based business, including food regulatory measures, as well as the capital needed to fund your venture. Email Bob today to get started.
About ECDI Food Fort
Benefits of Membership
Membership allows you to grow your food and beverage business by immersing you in the local food community, giving you the business connections, pairing you with like-minded peers, and providing you cost-effective kitchen space and equipment..
Expand Your Network
You’ll meet more customers, more retail buyers, and more event holders by becoming an ECDI Food Fort member than you ever would going it alone.
Save Time
Avoid most of the growing pains of food service businesses with our mentorship guidance.
Save Money
Rent space as needed at a cost that makes sense for young food service businesses.
Some of the ways members leverage the Food Fort
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Space to expand takeout services beyond what they can maintain from their restaurants
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Food truck commissary and parking
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Takeout-only business model
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Prep kitchen for catering or food trucks
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Small-scale manufacturing of packaged food or drink items
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Prep and shipping for eCommerce or delivery product
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Facilities for proof-of-concept tests
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Cooking and prep facilities for pop-up restaurants