They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be the heart of a community.
A Community Strategies grant from Innovia Foundation will help Bonner County Economic Development Council and Kitchen Spokane in their joint effort to open a nonprofit commercial kitchen in North Idaho.
Located at the Bonner Mall in Sandpoint, Idaho, the community kitchen will be available for use by entrepreneurs who are launching a new food product business. Affordable access to the facility will help them start and grow their small business, while minimizing overhead costs and maximizing profits.
Kitchen Ponderay replaces a commercial community kitchen that closed in Sandpoint in 2013. The new facility is expected to be a major resource for developing food companies, which could bring new businesses and jobs to the area.
In addition, Kitchen Ponderay will provide a place for volunteer groups to prepare meals for people in need. The University of Idaho Extension and Food Science will also use the facility to teach food preparation, food handling and other related food courses.