Gorge Grown Food Network | Food Business Incubator Programs

Food Business Incubator

We work to ensure that local producers and entrepreneurs have access to land, equipment, infrastructure, financing, education, and support they need.

Gorge Grown supports over 250 entrepreneurs each year by providing technical assistance, business development support, access to markets, promotion, peer to peer learning opportunities, grant writing assistance, and direct funding to bolster sales and address barriers to success.

In the last year, Gorge Grown has provided mini-grants and equipment to 25 businesses, 100% of which are owned by people of color or socially disadvantaged individuals- 6 Mercado in 2024, 10 Mercado in 2025, and 9 Hood River Farmers Market in 2025.

We provide:

Technical assistance and Spanish interpretation to apply for SNAP authorization, secure a temporary restaurant license and food handler’s card, and overcome other regulatory barriers
Funding to address financial barriers such as the pricey temporary restaurant licenses required to serve prepared food at public events
Widespread promotion of local food and beverage businesses, elevating entrepreneur’s stories and voices
Connections to other services providers and advocacy for Spanish language inclusivity
Information on state, federal, and local funding opportunities
Business referrals and placement in Gorge Grown’s “Who’s Your Farmer” Directory that is popular among local food buyers like chefs
Connections to larger farmers markets including priority placement for businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals at the region’s flagship Hood River Farmers Market