As the calendar quickly turns from spring to summer, FEED Kitchens, for the 11th year, is gearing up for a busy season supplying our region with flavors from around the world with ingredients sourced locally and food made right here on the Northside of Madison. With food carts and trailers filling the parking lot surrounding FEED, it is easy to mistake the facility as only a space for food cart production, but they are only part of what happens here.
Caterers are mobile vendors who don’t have a cart from which to vend, but they fill our spaces as well. Bakers, who are busy year-round, are ramping up their production to participate in the array of farmers markets around our region. Packaged goods producers are here building inventory for increased summer sales; and some, like Chrysalis Pops and The Dairy Godmother, are here making their signature summer treats for sale at a variety of community events.
Healthy Food for All, NPC’s food recovery initiative, is also gearing up to capture excess fresh produce at area farmers markets, to help distribute donations that come direct from the farm, to safely collect prepared food from events throughout the area, and to continue to build and coordinate our volunteer retail level food recovery initiative.
The FEED Bakery and its sister Earn and Learn Program have started a new set of interns, intent on learning to become bakers; and as part of their training, will be helping us vend on Sundays at the Northside Farmers Market.
While the hustle and bustle at FEED can be overwhelming at times, being here is a labor of love. There is nothing more special than being part of an entrepreneur’s success as we support their growth. From member entrepreneurs to dedicated staff, everyone here is doing their part to strengthen our local food system. This summer, and year-round, you can do your part by seeking out these businesses and supporting them.
