WeFeast

WeFeast is a six month part-time program designed to provide women with the skills, tools and support they need to develop successful small scale value-added agri-food businesses.

Up to 12 participants per year will gain knowledge and hands-on experience in the value-added food sector and then initiate small scale food businesses aimed at temporary markets.

The program will train women entrepreneurs in topics related to food and processing skills, as well essential ‘food business’ skills like packaging, design, pricing, marketing and business planning.

The program is designed to empower women to develop avenues for self-employment. It provides low-income women with the knowledge and skill enhancement activities they need in order to get started on a successful self-employment path and the road to increased self-reliance.

The WeFeast program is free to selected participants thanks to a generous grant from the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

What Will I Learn?

Participants will receive organizational tools, workshops, on-site visits, mentorship, skill enhancement opportunities and access to the Foodshare ‘licensed’ kitchen for product development, weekly meetings with a coordinator, direct marketing venues, and support from Foodshare.

The Program consists of 7 modules held three-half days per week in order to accommodate womens’ busy lives.

I) Taking Stock: Info sessions and interviews. Entrepreneur Self-Assessment

II) Soil Preparation & Enrichment: Basic Food Skills & Foodsafe Level 1 Certificate

III) Roots & Shoots: Small Scale Food Business Training Program

IV) Planting & Tending: Product Development/Test Marketing

V) Watering & Weeding: Business Planning

VI) Putting Up the Harvest! Presentation of Business Plans, Next Steps & Celebration

VII) Seed Saving: Keeping Connected/ Program Evaluation

Taught by Food & Business Experts!

Some Program Highlights

• A field trip to a local cannery and other food related businesses
• Opportunities to test market and sell products at local temporary markets Individualized support to achieve personal and business related goals
• Some child care and transportation subsidies will be available
• Personal support & hands-on business experience with local mentors related to their field of interest
• Weekly one-on-one meetings with the Coordinator for personal and business counseling/guidance support and help with completing the business plan
• Bi-monthly group meetings for peer support; continued business planning/management workshops etc.
• Membership in Foodshare
• 32 hours (8 half-days) of access to the permitted Foodshare Centre kitchen & equipment
• On-going support from Foodshare staff, Board, members, networks and contacts

Who Can Apply?

We Feast is for any woman who is motivated to start a small-scale value-added food-related business and who:

• Is un-employed or under-employed (i.e. part-time or low wages)
• Is on income assistance, E.I. or a disability pension
• Has a limited income or limited access to financial resources
• Has an idea (or two!)

All interested participants must attend an info session and interview. Only 10-12 participants will be selected.

We are not currently accepting applications.