Value Added Kitchen Available for Rent to Local Producers

In addition to annual and daily vendor spaces for farmers to sell their locally produced fruits and vegetables, the Columbus County Community Farmers Market has a 900 sq. ft. commercial kitchen in which farmers and other local food entrepreneurs can prepare value-added food products for sale to the public.

The commercial kitchen has a North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) Food & Drug Protection Division inspection.  The kitchen is equipped with a commercial range, convection oven, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, two stainless steel food prep tables, and various utensils.

In addition, the facility is home to a commercial honey extractor which was purchased in 2007 with grant funds from the Duke Endowment Program for the Rural Carolinas (PRC) Discover Columbus Project.  A 12’ x 12’ walk-in cooler is available for short-term storage of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Financial support for the commercial kitchen was provided by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, a long-time supporter of the Columbus County Community Farmers Market.

A tri-fold brochure, application and fee schedule are listed below (PDF format).  If you have questions or need more information about utilizing the kitchen facility, please call or email .