The Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation in partnership with Be Healthy Berrien launched the Savor Collective, an incubator program developed to support local food entrepreneurs and farmers. Supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the New Ventures Fund, sustainable cities initiative project. The program focused on helping socially disadvantaged businesses by offering technical support and resources.
The 16-week program engaged six participants representing a range of business models. A structured curriculum, led by subject matter experts with real-world experience, covered product development, finance, marketing, operations, regulatory compliance, and facilities management. The teachings were designed to reflect and resonate with the Benton Harbor community.
Participants accessed certified kitchen facilities, business development classes, and networking opportunities, all designed to help scale their operations. They also used program resource funds to work with a local branding expert, investing in strategies to elevate their brand presence, a move that reflected the community-centered values of the Savor Collective.
Zina Murray, owner of Logan Square Kitchen, served as the lead instructor and coach, sharing insights into local food systems and supporting participants through every stage of growth.
The program helped entrepreneurs avoid the high costs and risks of jumping directly from cottage food production to owning or renting private commercial space by offering shared kitchen access and hands-on business support.
Key outcomes of the program included:
- Capacity Building: Participants leveraged shared kitchen resources to expand production and explore new offerings.
- Skills Development: Training covered food safety, packaging, finance, compliance, and marketing strategies.
- Brand & Identity Growth: Partnerships with local experts helped participants define and grow their businesses’ visibility.
- Strategic Planning: Minority-owned businesses left the program with tools to strengthen their long-term viability.
This initiative has fostered growth, collaboration, and resilience within Benton Harbor’s food business community.