Benefits
Kitchen space without the Commitment
Kitchen space is too expensive and the contracts are too long. We offer affordable kitchen space, by the hour, that allows you to grow in a low-risk atmosphere.
Grow your business with a nonprofit
As a nonprofit, we're not here to make a buck. Our mission is to help food businesses thrive by eliminating the barriers in accessing funding, facilities, and support.
Support for food-
and-drink
businesses at any stage
Pre-opening, two years in, or beyond, we’ve got you with the guidance you need to minimize growing pains.
One-stop business resource
You get lending, advice, connections, and access to affordable kitchen space, all in one go.
Community of like-minded entrepreneurs
Learn from your industry peers, make connections, and enjoy being part of a community of passionate food and beverage makers.
Devorah Steinberg
Crunchy Ra-Ra
“ECDI has provided us with an affordable kitchen to produce our yogurt, as well as invaluable business education and training. We could not have gotten to where we are in our business without ECDI.
Doris Bozzi
Local Millers
“ECDI has helped me gain a better understanding of the 'business side' of things, rather than just leading with passion and overlooking the numbers. It also connected me with other local entrepreneurs, and getting to know them and learning from their experiences has been incredibly valuable.
Amanda Shepard
Shepard Baking Co
"Being connected with ECDI at the beginning of my journey as an entrepreneur has been very rewarding. It is nice to be able to get business advice when I need it and be a part of a large community of small business owners who are navigating similar issues as me.
Food Fort is a program of the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI)
ECDI is the #1 U.S. Small Business Administration microlender in the country with a mission to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change by providing responsible, affordable lending and comprehensive small business development services to help underbanked people and communities join the economic mainstream.
