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The Western Mass Food Processing Center's mission is to promote economic development through entrepreneurship, provide opportunities for sustaining local agriculture, and promote best practices for food producers.
The FPC has established a new project to meet the needs of farmers to extend the season and institutional customers to use more local products. Read more...
"You Should Sell This!"
Have you ever been told that your recipe is good enough to bottle? That’s the seed that can grow into a successful food business at the Center. The Center can help you overcome the obstacles to commercial success and guide you through the process of bringing your recipe to market. With the resources of the Center and the support of the Franklin County CDC behind your business, you can realize your dream of owning your own business.
If you're thinking about launching a food-based business, you'll find a checklist to help you get started along with other helpful resources here. How to launch your food venture...
If you are interested in using the Food Processing Center, an Information Session is your first step! Held on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 pm, an Information Session is the way to find out about all the programs at the FCCDC and includes a tour of the commercial kitchen and a chance to talk to FCCDC staff about your idea.
Register here or call 413-774-7204 ext 100 to sign up.
How Will the Center Support My Business?
From start-up to market, the Center will work with you to provide every advantage as you launch or expand your business.
Before you make your first commercial batch, you can take advantage of our support in business planning, recipe development, scale-up and testing, referrals to labs for product testing, and preparation for license inspections.
After your business is licensed and ready to make the first batch, we offer production assistance, marketing support, and networking with distribution channels. These are just some of the ways that the Center will support your business.
- Value-Added Farm Products
Support and training for agricultural producers and growers making value-added products or preserving harvests for retail and wholesale.
- Specialty, Organic, Natural, and Retail Products
Technical assistance, business planning, product development, distribution resources and manufacturing space for specialty and organic food producers. Our facility supports bottled and shelf-stable prepared foods, acidified foods, fresh-pack or frozen, dry mix, and bakery operations.
- Retail Operations
Facilities and support for catering, special events, mobile food service, and other direct-to-consumer food production.
- Copack Solutions
Copack, or contract manufacturing, services are available through our program. We will work with you to develop commercial production quantities of product under your label.
- Professional Development
Classes, workshops, and seminars designed to help start your business and expand your capabilities as a food entrepreneur.
You will find a fully equipped modern production facility that meets federal, state, and local standards. Here is a brief look at what else you will find at the Center:
- 100- and 60-gallon steam kettles
- Hot-bottling/filling automation
- Convection and conventional ovens and range
- Large scale baking capacity
- 49-gallon tilting skittle
- Large capacity mixers, choppers, shredders
- Dry, cold and frozen storage
- Shipping & receiving area w/loading dock
- 24-hour secure access
- Vegetable wash and prep areas
- Complete sanitation program and equipment
- Shared office space and equipment
- much more
Membership at the Center costs only $50 per month, and includes your access to the facility, our technical advising services, and orientation and training. Inquire about our membership discount programs.
How Much Does it Cost?
Costs for production vary depending on your needs and your product. The Center charges a membership fee, hourly fees for production, and fees for storage rental. For certain members, a batch or per unit charge may be negotiated with the Program Manager.
Center Costs:
Monthly Membership Dues* $50.00
Hourly Production:
All Operations $38.00
Monthly Dry Storage:
Pallet or Small Cage $35.00
Large Secure Cage $45.00
Weekly Cold Storage:
Linear Foot $8.00
Rolling Rack $16.00
Pallet $24.00
The first step in using the FCCDC Food Processing Center is to fill in and return our Application Form. This will help us best match available services and resources to your needs. We strongly suggest that you have a business plan to show that your products will be viable.
How to launch your food venture...
Come to an Information Session for a Tour of the Food Processing Center and to discuss your concept with the Program Manager. Learn how the staff at the Center will work closely with you to help get your idea off the ground. Tour the Center and envision your business growing and succeeding with our support.
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