COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly is Fork Food Lab?
Fork Food Lab is a mission driven non-profit organization. As the only incubator commissary manufacturing and processing facility in Northern New England, we host and provide a licensed commercial facility for small start-up and existing food businesses.
What is a food incubation program?
Our food incubation programs provides one to one evaluations for potential and future food entrepreneurs, while utilizing strategic community partnerships to assist in the development of pre-venture business planning, pivoting, tax preparation, mentoring, loan assistance, and more. By providing one-to-one evaluations for new businesses, we are able to identify your strengths, as well as provide the right resources to support you where you need it most.
How is Fork Food Lab funded?
As a nonprofit, Fork Food Lab is funded primarily by grants, donations, fundraising events, loans, fees charged for kitchen use, direct sales of member products through A Taste of Fork, etc.
What types of businesses do you host?
We currently host consumer packaged goods, mobile food units (trucks, trailers, and carts) caterers, cooking classes, research and development, pop ups. We are unable to host manufacturing for consumables that contain THC or Psilocybin. Check out our current members!
What kind of equipment do you have?
Convection oven, traditional range, stock pot range, combination oven, proofer, charbroiler, flat-top grill, kettle, microwave, mixers, food processor, blixer, vacuum sealer, ice machine, slicer, blenders, portable induction ranges, high-temp dishwasher, and any and all small wares you may need to cook and create. For a full list of equipment, please see our amenities list.
How does a membership work?
Memberships are negotiated between the business and FFL through primarily month-to-month written agreements. Similar to paying rent to a landlord, each business pays Fork Food Lab a designated membership fee at the beginning of the month in anticipation of that month’s usage. It is very common for businesses to adjust their membership level depending on the time of year. When you start a membership at Fork Food Lab, you have access to use the facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is required in order to join?
Fork Food Lab requires a Food Protection Management Certificate, and Liability Insurance. If you’re selling food, State and City Licensing is required. We have the means to assist each potential member with sourcing all of the requirements prior to joining.
What types of events do you host?
Stay tuned for updates about our brand new event space coming later this year! We hope to resume regularly scheduled activities soon! To submit a private event inquiry request, please click below.
Can I visit the facility?
We are currently offering tours to both those who are interested in starting a food business, as well as those who are interested in creating strategic community partnerships, hosting an event, or are interested in learning more.
If you’re interested in taking a tour, please submit a general inquiry.
If you’re a food businesses or aspiring business, please submit a new member inquiry.
.How can I get in touch?
You can find and contact us through Instagram and Facebook under Fork Food Lab. We can best be reached at info@forkfood.com.