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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2016 FOOD ACCELERATOR GRADUATION – May 10th from 5:30-8:00PM
Providence, Rhode Island (May 4, 2016) – Join Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) to celebrate the 2016 Food Accelerator participants as they complete their 12-week business development journey at the Food Accelerator Pitch Night and Graduation. The event will highlight the growth of the 12 food-focused social enterprises. Please come to celebrate their accomplishments and mingle with our community.
The Graduation and Pitch Night will take place at the SEG Hub (10 Davol Square, Suite #100, Providence) from 5:30pm-8pm. Each venture will present their business and plan for impact with a pitch to the audience from 6-7pm. Samples from each business will be provided throughout the event. This event is free and open to all.
The inaugural Food Accelerator kicked off in February 2016 with the support of many organizations, businesses, and individuals in RI’s food community. The Accelerator, SEG’s signature venture development program, includes a 12-week blended learning model developed and delivered in collaboration with Brown University. Throughout the three months, each of the social enterprises work to refine, formalize, and grow their social mission with the support of SEG’s community of coaches and advisors. Additional value is provided by one-on-one business coaching, a peer-learning cohort model, and access to SEG’s co-working space at 10 Davol Square, Providence. Upon graduation, participants will receive priority access to the SEG Loan Fund that provides below market interest rate loans to high potential social enterprises as well as later stage business services.
“These twelve food-focused ventures are passionate, socially-driven, and dedicated to making an impact. We hope the Food Accelerator provided them with the tools and resources they need to bring their businesses to the next level, as well as opportunities and jobs to Rhode Island. The Pitch Night and Graduation is the culmination of a lot of hard work for these entrepreneurs, and it’s truly inspiring to see the dedication they have to improving our community and food system.” – SEG Food Initiative Director, Isabella Cassell
Press Contact:
Kelly Ramirez
Social Enterprise Greenhouse
401.749.7238
MEET THE 2016 IMPACT ACCELERATOR GRADUATES
Agraria Farm and Edibles, Barbara Link
Agraria is a small organic farm aiming to create an innovative, resilient model for farming and food production in New England while striving to connect people to their local farms and food supply.
Bellicchi’s Best Biscotti, Kathleen Bellicchi
Bellicchi’s Best Biscotti was born out of adversity and now offers three flavors. This RI-based company donates 5% of profits to the Alzheimer’s Association and also plans to help others start successful home businesses.
Fox Point Pickling Company, Ziggy Goldfarb
Fox Point Pickling Company is on a mission to provide New England with award-winning, locally sourced pickles that are sugar and additive free, naturally gluten-free and non-GMO.
Glenwood Garden, Jonah Rapino
Glenwood Garden is an e-market for sustainably made food while helping nonprofits gain a recurring source of revenue.
Humble Pie Company, Daniel Sheehan
The Humble Pie Company provides its customers with freshly baked, honest pies made with wholesome ingredients sourced from local farms.
Laughing Gull Chocolates, Lindsay Tarnoff
Laughing Gull uses as many ethically and locally sourced ingredients as possible to make premium chocolate products, which we use to share the intriguing, magical story of chocolate.
Leah’s Recipe, Leah Rosin-Pritchard
Leah’s Recipe is a snack line of evolved, plant-based, whole-food snacks that integrate into a health and wellness-based lifestyle.
Mesa Fresca, Alan and Nathalie Alberto
Mesa Fresca creates premium Hispanic cuisine with all natural & fresh ingredients, currently offering an authentic Argentine chimichurri sauce. Founded on family and community, Mesa Fresca aims to address the gap in the marketplace for authentic, fresh packaged Hispanic food.
Newport Cooks, Mary Weaver
Newport Cooks partners with talented local chefs and instructors to offer creative, healthy, culture & cuisine-based cooking classes for adults and children. They provide a spot in every children’s class & camp to a StarKid and a spot in every Farmer’s Market Fresh class to an adult receiving SNAP benefits.
Ocean State Smoked Fish Company, Jeffrey Powell
Ocean State Smoked Fish Company offers locally sourced, uniquely smoked fish. They also set aside a portion of their profits for a culinary scholarship fund dedicated to Rhode Island fishing families.
Savory Fare, Mary Hughes
Savory Fare is a meal delivery service for seniors, enabling them to stay healthy and remain in their own homes.
SecondsFirst, Erika Lamb
SecondsFirst is a food processing business that produces high quality, nutritious, and affordable food products using imperfect vegetables and under-appreciated fish in Rhode Island to feed the food insecure.