ACEnet Food Ventures Center
The Appalachian Center for Economic Appalachian Center for Economic NetworksNetworks
is a regional entrepreneurship and economic development organization
(501c3) located in Athens, Ohio.
ACEnet builds the capacity of communities to
network, work together and innovate to create a dynamic, sustainable regional
economy with opportunities for all.
Where We Work
Rolling foothills
Where We WorkSmall towns
Where We WorkPrimary
Service Area
Appalachia
Counties
Clients also come
from other
parts of Ohio and adjacent states
ACEnet Strategies
1. Training & technical assistance
2. Business incubation & infrastructure development
3. Access to capital services, partnerships & referrals
4. Capacity building through product innovation, branding & adoption of technology
Food Sector Development
At the crossroads of local food At the crossroads of local food economieseconomies
Environmental Environmental SustainabilitySustainability
Food Food Security Security for Allfor All
New Economic New Economic OpportunitiesOpportunities
Farms & Foodways
Food & farm microenterprises are part of our heritage
Long Tradition of Markets
Athens Farmers Market over 37 years old
Nurturing Food & Nurturing Food & Farm Farm
Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs
Reinventing Local Reinventing Local Infrastructure & Infrastructure &
Systems Systems
Enhancing Enhancing Food SecurityFood Security
Local Food Movement Local Food Movement PartnersPartners……cycling towards a local food cycling towards a local food economyeconomy
Reinventing Local InfrastructureReinventing Local Infrastructure……
Market Programs Distribution 1. Regional brands 1. Central warehouses2. Local brokers 2. Produce auctions3. Online marketing 3. Expand farmers market
4. Market pavilions/sheds
Production & Processing 1. Farm incubators 2. Expansion of shared-use processing facilities: produce, meat, dairy, bakery 3. Co-packing businesses emerge 4. Policy & regulatory obstacles alleviated for smaller scale producers
Design Issues•Operational use
•Licensing
•Equipment needs
•Management/staffing capacity
Shared-use Commercial Kitchen Facility
Timeline Highlights
1992-95 Raise funding for facility
1993-on Develop services & programming for food & farm entrepreneurs
1995 Close on property – begin renovation
1996 Open FV Center April 1996
1997 Start raising funds for expansion
2000 Facility expansion complete
2004 Seafood HACCP & ODA Meat license
Funding Partners
USDA – Rural Development
EDA – Dept of Commerce
Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
Local Bank Loans
Facility Specs
· 12,000 sq ft shared manufacturing
facility· 10 offices· 3 loading docks · Shipping and receiving· Conference and training room · Retail space· Storage for dry, refrigerated & frozen goods· Reception, fax, copier, computers
Processing & DistributionProcessing & Distribution
Approximately 85 tenants in Food Ventures--farmers, specialty food & foodservice
businesses
Bakery operations
Thermal processing
Foodservice
Frozen food
Dry packaging
Pasta production
ODA meat license
Seafood processing
Warehousing
Types of Operations & LicensesTypes of Operations & Licenses
Processing Operations
Bakery Operations
12 Convection Ovens Dough Roller / Bread Slicer
2 Proofers 5 Larger Capacity Mixers
Thermal Processing
185 gallon cooking capacity
250 gallon pre-mix vat
Semi-automated Production
Pulper-Finisher
Vertical Chopper/Mixer
Food Service
Cham’s Lebanese Cuisine
At ACEnet Her Own Restaurant
Warehousing and Distribution
Nurturing Food & Farm Nurturing Food & Farm EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs
……
Market access Distribution channels1. Market partners 1. Local distribution networks2. Buy Local campaigns 2. New delivery businesses3. Training programs 3. Online technologies applied
Production & Processing 1. Community gardeners evolve into local food entrepreneurs 2. Programs & agencies assist new & expanding farmers 3. Food & farm entrepreneurs have access to subsidized infrastructure/land 4. Policy & regulatory obstacles alleviated for smaller scale producers
Established Businesses Can Grow Significantly – Sales, Employees & Market
Reach
Farm Families – Focus on Value Adding
Specialty Food Producers
Regional Flare
Regional Food Branding
Ads, inserts &
demos
Regional Brands
Many New Food We Love Products
Accomplishments
The Food We Love™The Food We Love™
•Over 50 specialty food producers & farmers are featured in the Athens Kroger — Food We Love program.
•Shoppers can find over 200 different products in every food category across the store.
•ACEnet brokers & distributes Food We Love™ product lines to stores in Athens, Nelsonville, Middleport, Pomeroy, Cambridge & Shawnee.
•Seven regional grocery stores showcase Food We Love™ in the signature retail display units