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3 <br /> PIEDMONT FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS <br /> ' and few that aren't but should be. <br /> IN"`your Best`Food`Forward <br /> WHAT IS PIEDMONT FOOD PROCESSING CENTER ? <br /> The Piedmont Food Processing Center (PFPC) is first and foremost a community of entrepreneurs <br /> and small business owners. PFPC sits at a nexus of the food ecosystem. We connect farmers, <br /> producers, institutional users, education and job training, community food access, food safety, food <br /> policy, and economic growth. We impact all these aspects of the food system through the work we <br /> do to inspire, guide, and launch food-related businesses. <br /> WHAT DOES YOUR SHARED KITCHEN DO ? <br /> Businesses at PFPC benefit from three critical functions: <br /> Co-working Space: Much like office co-working spaces, PFPC offers access on an "as needed" basis <br /> to the resources that a food business requires to operate— kitchens and equipment. The small <br /> businesses only pay for what they need. Access to these resources is essential to any startup food <br /> business and critical for food trucks and caterers, which <br /> by regulation, are required to work from an inspected <br /> facility. <br /> Entrepreneurial Incubator: PFPC's primary function is as <br /> a business incubator, helping entrepreneurs launch food <br /> businesses. The small businesses that come to PFPC need <br /> help with business formation, product development, <br /> packaging, regulatory guidance, distribution, and <br /> marketing. With our support, companies launch with a <br /> higher likelihood of survival and success. <br /> Business Accelerator: In the food industry, a company <br /> strives to graduate from making cases of their product to <br /> making pallets of products. It's a formidable challenge. <br /> PFPC is unique in providing guidance to help <br /> entrepreneurs take this critical step in the growth of their food company. This accelerator function <br /> is why PFPC has launched six national brands and dozens of strong regional food companies. <br /> The success of these services has positioned PFPC as a leader in the state. It is reflected in the more <br /> than 300 food-related businesses that have been launched over the last twelve years and the <br /> continuing growth of our education programs. <br />