NPR Article features Heartland Regional Food Business Center

We're excited to share that the Heartland Regional Food Business Center has been featured in an article by KCUR NPR in Kansas City! New Growth is a co-director along with University of Nebraska Lincoln for the Heartland Center.

The article highlights a new grant program in the works that is dedicated to growing local food businesses in the Midwest. This initiative is designed to support small farmers and food producers, enhance food security, and strengthen the regional food economy.

As the article writes, “Working across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, the Center’s 34 partners and collaborators will provide mentorship and technical assistance to local food producers and farmers. Food entrepreneurs can earn up to $50,000 through the grant program.The awards can cover expenses like hiring consultants, paying staff and replacing supplies or equipment.”

“The mission of the business builder is to help expand access for everyone in the local food system, to get access to local food and to be able to sell more local food,” Katie Nixon, co-director of the Heartland Business Center and food systems director at New Growth, said. “When you have a strong local food economy, there's a lot of room for entrepreneurship, but it's also away to gather as a community.”

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center plays a crucial role in this effort, providing essential resources and support to help local food businesses thrive.

Read the full article here: Growing Local Food Businesses.

And read more about the Business Builder awards program expected to be announcing open dates mid-August.  

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