MARCH 4, 2024 (CHICAGO, IL) — The Hatchery Chicago® — a non-profit food and beverage incubator — announces its Private Kitchen Pitch Contest Presented by Midwest Dairy. The contest supports emerging brands by providing access to commercial kitchen space and wraparound services for business growth. In partnership with Midwest Dairy, a dairy farmer-funded checkoff organization that works to build trust and sales of dairy products, finalists will have the chance to win six months of private kitchen space to accelerate their growth. All applicant businesses must use 30% or more of cow’s dairy milk in their ingredient base.
“Thanks to Midwest Dairy and The Hatchery, BAKR has been able to produce over 20,000 cookies,” says owner Alexa Ryan, “which enabled increased fulfillment of our DTC orders, upcoming retail expansion to 100 stores, even a collaboration with three Michelin-starred restaurant, Alinea! BAKR is just getting started, and we are so grateful for the space we have at The Hatchery.”
This year’s winner will receive one year of free rent in a private kitchen space within
The Hatchery’s state-of-the-art, 67,000-square-foot facility. They will also have access to large co-working and private meeting spaces, dry, cold, or freezer storage, on-site business planning, and incubation services for accelerated business growth. Other prizes include one year of free membership, $1,000 in equipment credits, and ongoing mentorship with The Hatchery and Midwest Dairy teams.
"Midwest Dairy is excited to continue this partnership with the Hatchery to fuel dairy innovation and sales,” says the Midwest Dairy team. “Checkoff has enjoyed experiencing the impressive food and beverage entrepreneurs who truly value dairy products in their ingredients and continue to grow their business while supporting the hard-working dairy farmers of the Midwest."
The pitch will take place this spring onsite at The Hatchery, located at 135 N. Kedzie Ave in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. Contestants will present their business ideas to a panel of industry experts with a pitch presentation and tasting samples.
All entrepreneurs interested in pitching must apply by 5 PM CST on Friday, March 29. Visit https://bit.ly/thehatcherymidwestdairy2024 for more information.
ABOUT THE HATCHERY CHICAGO®
The Hatchery Chicago® was developed as a joint venture of two Chicago nonprofits, Allies for Community Business and Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) to economically develop the west side of Chicago. All funds support The Hatchery’s mission of helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses and enhance economic development and job creation on Chicago’s West Side.
ABOUT MIDWEST DAIRY®
Midwest Dairy® represents 4,400 dairy farm families and works on their behalf to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in our products and production practices. We are committed to Bringing Dairy to Life! by giving Consumers an Excellent Dairy Experience and are funded by farmers across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. For more information, visit MidwestDairy.com and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
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PRESS CONTACT
Devin de Lima
(312) 283-5738
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