- a weekly column published in the Pioneer Press

Siskiyou County has a shared-use commercial kitchen available to entrepreneurs, small business, agricultural producers, caterers, non-profits and residents preparing quantities of food for special events. “Pacific West Foodworks” (PWF) is located in the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council (EDC) building at 1512 S. Oregon in Yreka. The facility is Food and Drug Administration registered and State of California/Department of Health certified. PWF is also in the process of obtaining U.S. Dept. of Agriculture certification. It meets all state and federal guidelines for licensing and food production. 

The kitchen has all sorts of huge kettles and machinery for production of large batches of food products and packing them into jars and containers.  For instance, one machine has the capacity to fill 29 bottles per minute. There is also room available to rent for storage of packaged product on pallets ready for shipment.

PWF provides outreach seminars in various areas of the county for those interested in the food products business.  Instruction and technical assistance is provided in navigating complex regulations, getting necessary licenses, “recipe batching” (translating a small quantity recipe into a large, commercial one,) and determining proper FDA-compliant labeling. Businesses are mentored and provided one-on-one counseling. There is also a partnership with JEDI (Jefferson Economic Development Institute) for education and coaching in establishing, financing and running a successful micro-enterprise (small business.)

Currently, 17 local companies, in various stages of business development, are being “incubated.” So far, 19 new jobs have been created since 2001. Close to 90% of the kitchen projects involve individuals in targeted low-income groups. Some of these local companies are hired by out of area companies to process, package and ship their recipes. (This is called “co-packing.”)  

Over the past three years, PWF has expanded its marketing and distribution efforts. The majority of the products produced in the facility are now available in regional grocery stores and specialty shops. Some products are now sold in other states. During the past four years, the facility Director has arranged for several of the companies to exhibit in national trade shows.

The Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI) started its asset development program in 1999 focusing on building savings and increasing investment in home ownership, education and small businesses for low income people. Then they worked on building networking groups for various industries, such as childcare, artists, e-commerce, business and tourism. JEDI has recently released its “Entrepreneurial Track” schedule of workshops and trainings in Siskiyou County for the first half of 2007. Many of these are offered in partnership with the Cascade Small Business Development Center and may require registration with the College of the Siskiyous. Topics include starting/expanding a  business, financing, asset building, web design, marketing, bookkeeping and a variety of topics. Call 926-6670 for more information.