Recipe for Success

Recipe for Success -  Building Food Entrepreneurship                       Program Window: Spring 2026 (March - May)
Facilitated by County Food Hub.                                                       In Partnership with the County of Prince Edward.

About the Program
Recipe for Success is an inclusive food entrepreneurship training program developed by County Food Hub (CFH) to help emerging food business owners transform their culinary ideas into sustainable ventures. The program empowers participants who have passion and potential—but may face systemic barriers to starting or growing their food business. It is grounded in principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming women, Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, newcomers, people with disabilities, and others who bring diverse experiences and perspectives to our regional food community.

About AWEDI
The Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (AWEDI) provides funding to organizations to support underrepresented groups in starting or growing their own business in the agri-food sector. This project is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Program Format
Recipe for Success will run between March and May 2026, with a series of scheduled workshops, mentorship sessions, and learning modules scheduled throughout that window. The program design allows for in-person learning sessions at various sites within PEC including the County Food Hub kitchen and Demorestville/Picton Town Halls, to worksheets, recordings, and live streams available for remote participants, depending on topic and instructor needs. Each session will combine practical instruction with interactive learning, real-world examples, and peer discussion. Instructors utilize teaching approaches that honor participants’ diverse backgrounds and learning styles.

Program Modules:

  • Learn the essentials of running a small business, including incorporation, taxes, and bookkeeping. This module builds your confidence in managing finances, staying compliant, and setting up your business structure—key steps for long-term success.

  • Master the art of food costing and pricing. Learn how to calculate margins, set competitive prices, and ensure your business is financially sustainable.

  • Navigate the complex world of food regulations. You’ll understand inspection requirements, permits, and how to stay compliant—ensuring your business is legally sound.

    Learn best practices for food safety, sanitation, and traceability. These skills are essential for protecting your customers and meeting health regulations.

    Understand how to safely produce shelf-stable sauces. This module is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to expand into condiments or bottled products.

  • Explore the science behind food and how to develop recipes for commercial production.

    You’ll gain foundational knowledge in food chemistry, shelf stability, and scaling recipes—critical for turning your home recipe into a market-ready product.

  • Discover how to streamline your production process. This module helps you set up efficient workflows, reduce waste, and save on kitchen rental costs—boosting your bottom line.

  • Develop a social media strategy to promote your product and engage customers. You’ll learn how to create content, manage platforms, and grow your online presence.

    Build a strong brand identity and create professional marketing materials. This module helps you stand out in a crowded market and connect with your target audience.

  • Learn how to present your food beautifully for packaging and social media. These visual skills are key to attracting customers and building a compelling brand.

  • Learn how to package your product professionally and create compliant nutrition labels.

    This module helps you meet legal requirements and appeal to customers with clear, attractive packaging.

  • Understand how to get your product to market. You’ll explore distribution channels, regulatory requirements, and strategies for accessing retail, wholesale, and direct-to-consumer opportunities.

  • Explore how to link your product to local tourism experiences. This module opens up new revenue streams and helps you tap into the growing agri-tourism market.

  • Work one-on-one with food science experts to refine your recipe for larger-scale production. This personalized support helps ensure your product maintains quality, taste, and safety as you grow.

  • Learn what co-packing is, how to find a partner, and how to prepare your product for scale. This is a great option for entrepreneurs ready to grow without investing in their own facility.

If you’d like to be notified when additional information becomes available, please email mitchell@countyfoodhub.com to be added to our Recipe for Success mailing list.