Building support infrastructure for emerging food & beverage brands
Recorded at the 2025 Big Connecticut Food Event on 3/1/25 at the Yale School of Management.
Moderator
Erica Phillips (Connecticut Mirror)
Panelists:
Sarah Miller (CitySeed)
Jen Faigel (Commonwealth Kitchen)
Jennifer Mathiew (UConn Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
Caitlyn Taylor (Midcourse Design & Development)
Connecticut's food and beverage ecosystem is brimming with potential, but emerging brands face significant challenges in turning their passion into sustainable businesses. A recent panel of experts shed light on the critical support infrastructure needed to help local entrepreneurs succeed.
The Landscape of Support
Emerging food brands need more than just a great product. They require a comprehensive support system that addresses multiple dimensions of business growth. Organizations like CitySeed, Commonwealth Kitchen, the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and innovative design studios are working to fill crucial gaps in the entrepreneurial journey.
Key Challenges for Food Entrepreneurs
Infrastructure Limitations
One of the most significant barriers is the lack of appropriate manufacturing and processing infrastructure. Traditional co-packers are designed for large-scale production, leaving mid-sized businesses in a challenging position. Jen Faigel from Commonwealth Kitchen highlighted this issue, noting that most manufacturing equipment costs over $100,000 and is designed for industrial-scale production.
Access to Capital
Financing remains a critical challenge. Many financial institutions view food businesses as too risky, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to secure the funding needed to scale. As Jen Faigel pointed out, even Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are hesitant to support food businesses, despite their mission to support underserved entrepreneurs.
Innovative Solutions and Support Strategies
Shared Kitchen and Co-Packing Models
Organizations are developing creative solutions to address infrastructure challenges
CitySeed offers low-cost commercial kitchen rentals
Commonwealth Kitchen provides co-packing services that aggregate production for smaller brands
These models help entrepreneurs overcome initial scaling barriers by sharing resources and reducing individual investment costs
Holistic Business Support
Successful support goes beyond physical infrastructure
Business education and training
Market access support
Strategic partnership development
Helping entrepreneurs connect with buyers and farmers
The Importance of a Regional Approach
Kaitlin Taylor, an architect and farmer, emphasized the need to think about food systems regionally.
Mapping physical assets and resources
Understanding local supply chains
Designing infrastructure that supports a bio-regional economy
Key Recommendations for Entrepreneurs
Define Your Own Success
Jennifer Matthew from UConn's Entrepreneurship Center stressed that success looks different for every business. Not every food brand needs to become a multi-million dollar company. Some entrepreneurs prioritize local impact and community support over rapid scaling.
Leverage Existing Resources
Connecticut offers various support mechanisms
University innovation centers
Entrepreneurship programs
Grants and funding opportunities
Local farmers markets for product testing
Build Strategic Relationships
Networking and relationship-building are crucial. Organizations like Commonwealth Kitchen demonstrate how transferring relationships can help businesses become more independent and resilient.
The Role of Public Support
The panelists called for more comprehensive public support
Consistent funding for regional food ecosystem organizations
Investment in physical infrastructure
Support for adaptive reuse of existing buildings
Grants and low-interest loans for food businesses
Emerging Opportunities
Food Innovation Centers
The upcoming UConn Food Innovation Center in Hartford represents a promising development, providing space for entrepreneurs to prove product viability and access support.
Design-Driven Solutions
There's significant potential for innovation in equipment design, particularly for mid-sized food producers who don't fit the industrial-scale model.
Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Ecosystem
The most successful food entrepreneurs will be those who can:
Adapt quickly
Build strong networks
Leverage shared resources
Think creatively about infrastructure and scaling
Connecticut has a unique opportunity to develop a supportive, collaborative food ecosystem that can serve as a model for other regions.
Call to Action for Entrepreneurs
Seek out support organizations
Attend networking events
Explore shared kitchen and co-packing options
Think regionally, not just locally
Be open to pivoting and evolving your business model
Conclusion
The path to success for food and beverage entrepreneurs is complex but navigable with the right support. By understanding the challenges, leveraging available resources, and thinking creatively about infrastructure and scaling, Connecticut's food entrepreneurs can transform their passion into thriving businesses.
The future of food is local, collaborative, and innovative – and Connecticut is leading the way.