Eastern Market, Garden Fresh to Help Food Startups Transition into Retail Outlets

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Eastern Market Corp. is teaming up with Garden Fresh Gourmet in Ferndale to offer an education-based program designed to support food entrepreneurs looking to experiment with cutting edge technology, fully develop products, and test their viability in an expanded marketplace.

“Food manufacturing has a long history in Detroit,” says George Vutetakis, director of research and development at Garden Fresh Salsa. “Numerous iconic brands and large food manufacturers were developed in the small stalls within Eastern Market. Garden Fresh Gourmet wanted to rekindle the tradition of assisting entrepreneurs in making the transition into retail outlets.”

As part of the new program, dubbed SEED, Garden Fresh Gourmet’s team will offer an ongoing and individualized educational experience using a “working laboratory” as the main instructional vehicle.

The organizations will host an open house about at the SEED headquarters, at 1515 Jarvis in Ferndale, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. The event will also include mini-mentoring workshops with industry leaders and specialists, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Applications will be reviewed by Eastern Market Corp. and Garden Fresh Gourmet.  Recipients may be eligible for up to a $1,000 stipend to utilize the SEED program elements of their choice.

For more information, or to secure an application, visit detroiteasternmarket.com.​