Kitchen Council Receives Equipment, Funding from Local Food Company
Council Bluffs, IA, Sept. 10, 2018 — When it comes to dishing up success, few can argue with Conagra Brand’s commitment to community.
Case in point: Ongoing support of Nebraska and Iowa’s largest collaborative food incubator, Kitchen Council, plus a recent donation of professional-grade equipment, including serving tables, table top and floor mixers, a refrigerator and pizza cooker. It’s the third in a series of Conagra-driven donations aimed at developing, launching and now supporting Kitchen Council.
“Conagra Brands has been an enthusiastic Kitchen Council champion from the very beginning, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the company’s latest donation and how it will support our makers,” said Holly Benson Muller, Kitchen Council’s managing director.
A 2,500-square foot facility, Kitchen Council includes a fully-equipped commercial kitchen, as well as access to business-development assistance and additional resources – resources designed to reduce barriers to entry for food entrepreneurs; and, resources which will be bolstered by Conagra Brands most recent contribution.
“Our Research & Development team initially became involved [with Kitchen Council] over a year ago with a generous contribution to help get the program started,” said Tom Frain, director of Culinary Innovations at Conagra Brands, and a member of Kitchen Council’s advisory board.
“As a chef, I love the incredible energy that is created in the kitchen,” Frain added. “When you add into the mix the fresh approach of these food entrepreneurs who so often are inspired by local ingredients and unique flavor profiles, the results can be amazing.”
Such “inspired” food invention, fueled by Conagra’s support, means Kitchen Council’s unique two-state model is home to a growing number of makers, creating opportunities Greater Omaha Chamber President and CEO David G. Brown says are indicative of Conagra’s transformative influence on the region.
“Conagra Brands is an outstanding corporate citizen, quick to support the community through employee volunteerism, financial support and product donations like those helping to accelerate our Kitchen Council program,” Brown said.
Pete Tulipana, CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, a Kitchen Council partner, echoed Brown’s remarks, “Iowa West Foundation’s vision emphasizes a community where businesses want to locate,” Tulipana said. “Through Conagra’s generous donation, members of Kitchen Council will have access to more and better professional grade equipment, in addition to expertise on sales and distribution. We believe this is a recipe for food businesses to thrive.”
In addition to Greater Omaha Chamber and Conagra Brands, Kitchen Council community partners include Iowa West Foundation, Council Bluffs Chamber and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
The startup accelerator, currently located at 40 Arena Way in Council Bluffs, will expand to its colocation, the PACE Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center, in 2019.
About Greater Omaha
Greater Omaha is a No. 1 ranked up-and-coming-tech hotspot, the No. 1 Best City for College Grads to Start their Careers in 2018 and Time magazine’s 2017 No. 3 Most Up-and-Coming City in America. Recognized for its “We Don’t Coast” attitude, and named America’s No. 2 Best Small City, Greater Omaha is home to more than 30 communities and nearly 1 million people, with a youthful population (more than 40 percent are age 24 or younger), low cost of living and steady economic growth that outpaces the nation. Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc. and Union Pacific – all Fortune 500 companies – call Greater Omaha “home.”
About the Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership
The Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership represents a six-county area that includes the Greater Omaha Chamber (Douglas County), Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council, Gateway Development Corporation (Washington County), Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation, Greater Fremont Development Council (Dodge County) and Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation (Pottawattamie County).
About the Greater Omaha Chamber
Celebrating 125 years, the mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.
About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America’s leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company’s portfolio is evolving to satisfy people’s changing food preferences. Conagra’s iconic brands, such as Marie Callender’s®, Reddi-wip®, Hunt’s®, Healthy Choice®, Slim Jim® and Orville Redenbacher’s®, as well as emerging brands, including Alexia®, Blake’s®, Frontera®, Duke’s® and Angie’s® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.
About the Iowa West Foundation
The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest, private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $430 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies throughout southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA is the license sponsor for Ameristar and Harrah’s and the license holder for Horseshoe Casino. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on economic development, education, placemaking and healthy families.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Jill Bruckner, Communications/PR Manager
Greater Omaha Chamber
402-978-7920
jbruckner@omahachamber.org
Kristine Mulford
Conagra Brands
312-549-5522
kristine.mulford@conagra.com
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