Community kitchens used to be common throughout central Appalachia. Families could use the facilities to put food away for their families with shared equipment and storage. Though there are few remaining, community commercial kitchens have become a multiplier for opportunity in sustainable food production for the region. Partnering with the USDA, Grow Appalachia is installing commercial kitchens at 5 partner organizations throughout Kentucky’s Promise Zone.

Gardening is just one means of economic opportunity for families in our region. We see the use of commercial kitchens as another, allowing families throughout southeast Kentucky to produce value-added, shelf-stable products to professionally compete in the marketplace. Commercial processing opportunities stimulate innovative food-based entrepreneurs and businesses, further equipping communities with the tools they need for a more sustainable and food-secure region.

Our Commercial Kitchen Partners

Red Bird Mission

Kitchen completed in 2017.

CANE Kitchen

Kitchen completed in 2017.

Laurel County African American Heritage Center

Kitchen completed in 2018.

Hindman Settlement School

Kitchen completed in 2018.

Pine Mountain Settlement School

Kitchen completed in 2018.

High Rocks for Girls

Kitchen completed in 2015.

GreenHouse17

Kitchen completed in 2014.

Scott Christian Care Center

Kitchen completed in 2014.

Value-added for Good

GreenHouse17 uses their kitchen to make bodycare products under the name “Handmade by Survivors”.