Culinary Industry Boosts State Economies

A new report unveils that the culinary arts, and the food industry in general, is helping to boost local economies, including those in Kentucky. A recent study reveals that in Kentucky, 2.5 percent of jobs are made up of people in creative industries, including culinary arts. Additionally, the creative industry and its jobs generated nearly $2 billion in earnings in 2013.

In metro Detroit where jobs are scarce and the city is suffering from an economical downfall, The Seed is a business that helps those who hope to start their own restaurants. Owners Jack and Annette Aronson decided to create The Seed after seeing how difficult it was for them to start their own restaurant and brand, Garden Fresh. The Seed also allows entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop, test, and package their own recipes while learning about the production process.

Along the same lines as The Seed, in nearby Southfield, The Culinary Studio has kitchen space available for rent. Owners Jo Coleman and Cassandra Morrison offer tenants spaces and with their fee, they’re allowed 24-hour access, a fully stocked kitchen, storage space, refrigeration, and supplies – not to mention the access to knowledgeable professionals like Coleman and Morrison. They offer advice to aspiring chefs and restaurateurs, even helping them to get licensed and establish working relationships with the Department of Agriculture.

Baltimore is following in Detroit’s footsteps with plans to establish a food production campus on a blighted tract in East Baltimore – a $16 million investment. A kitchen, canning facility, working farm, and produce market are planned to help boost the regional food economy. Much like The Culinary Studio, the Baltimore Food Hub will allow entrepreneurs to rent space to launch a food business. Products are expected to be sold to local restaurants and dining halls of local colleges, including John Hopkins University.

In Boston, food trucks are gaining popularity and have become an integral part of the culinary industry. Convenient, fast, and delicious; food trucks have helped the restaurant industry adapt quickly and take advantage of a tourists market. For startups, food trucks can be used as a way to test out concepts and marketing – before attempting to open a traditional brick and mortar restaurant. In 2011, there were only fifteen food trucks in Boston. That has no increased to approximately 75 food trucks in 2014. Harnessing the potential of the food economy can create local development opportunities and jobs, as well as increasing local economies.

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