In response to community demand, Crossroads developed infrastructure and programming to increase equity in food entrepreneurship. We provide affordable kitchen space and free, bilingual business support through the Microenterprise Development Program to equip food entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to build successful food businesses.

Most food entrepreneurs lack the capital to invest in their own production facilities, and rental costs at the handful of available commercial kitchens in the DC area are prohibitive. Crossroads worked with the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church to transform an existing kitchen space into a shared-use, commercial kitchen to help meet the needs of small-scale food entrepreneurs. Open since August 2017, the Takoma Park Silver Spring Community Kitchen provides much-needed affordable food prep space.

The kitchen is now open to new applicants. Read more about the application process here. There is no waiting list; food businesses are evaluated based on their status, nature, type of kitchen space needed (and the availability of such space), and resources needed.

If you’re thinking of starting a food business or need guidance in taking your food business to the next level, please fill out this interest form to receive information about the kitchen, monthly Lunch & Learn info sessions, Microenterprise Development Program updates, and additional resources. Si está pensando en comenzar un negocio de alimentos o si necesita orientación para llevar su negocio de alimentos al siguiente nivel, por favor llene este formulario de interés para recibir información sobre eventos mensuales de Almuerzo y Aprendizaje, actualizaciones del Programa de Desarrollo de Microempresas de Crossroads y recursos adicionales.

A range of food business tools can be found in our Resource Guide. Want to share feedback about the operations of the kitchen? If so, click here.