Associated Buyers and CommonWealth Kitchen are launching a new fellowship program aimed at addressing inequities in our food system. The fellowship will provide direct and tangible support to a BIPOC entrepreneur that has a great product and the potential to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
BIPOC is an acronym that stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Associated Buyers is a
small natural and specialty foods wholesale company, serving the Northeast for over thirty years. They are known for friendly,
reliable customer service and a diverse product mix which includes many international foods, bulk goods, regionally-made specialties and natural foods.
CommonWealth Kitchen is a food business incubator in Dorchester, MA that brings deep connections and relationships with BIPOC food entrepreneurs. They maintain a strong pipeline of entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the benefits that the Fellowship offers.
The SHIFT Fellowship is a specialty foods opportunity for BIPOC CPG Entrepreneurs, lead by CommonWealth Kitchen and Associated Buyers, with participation from Mable and other retail and wholesale participants. Read on for more information on getting involved.
The first fellow is Hillside Harvest, a gourmet, Caribbean American sauce and condiment company crafting flavor forward products that inspire consumers to explore delicious new ways of enjoying their favorite dishes.
How retailers, makers, and CPG experts can support The SHIFT Fellowship:
- Commit to a sales meeting with the fellow
- Make a dedicated space on the shelf for the Fellow and other BIPOC food businesses
- Commit funding or marketing spend
- Waive slotting fees and placement deals
- Connect the fellow with industry partners to help them succeed
To learn more about getting involved in The SHIFT Fellowship, send an email to wyley@assocbuyers.com.