In the Spotlight: Blue Ridge Food Ventures

North Carolina's first kitchen incubator for farmers and food entrepreneurs

Golden LEAF Chairman Billy Clarke, N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, and AdvantageWest Chairman Gordon Myers (left to right) cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Blue Ridge Food Ventures on May 23, 2005.

The 11,000 sq. ft. facility is located in Enka on the campus of A-B Tech and is North Carolina's first kitchen incubator for farmers and food entrepreneurs. The Golden LEAF Foundation was the largest contributor to the project.

The facility will help small family farmers and other growers seeking ways to create value-added food products by providing full-scale commercial kitchen facilities and support services on a 24-hour basis. The facility can support farmers and food entrepreneurs in activities such as juicing and pasteurizing, dehydrating, cooking, baking, and packaging.

The facility is managed by Mary Lou Surgi. She can be reached at 828-665-9464 or by email.