Rentable Commercial Manufacturing Space

The Share Grounds is an incubator kitchen located at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison, Arkansas. The kitchen is partnership between the UA System Division of Ag and the Cleveland County Fair Association.  The kitchen utilizes existing facilities and infrastructure at the county fairgrounds.  The goals of the Share Grounds kitchen are to increase utilization of local produce, support local entrepreneurs, and develop opportunities for new value-added businesses.

  1. Commercial Equipment examples available for use:
      1. 40-gallon steam kettle
      2. immersion blender
      3. tabletop blenders
      4. vacuum sealer
      5. pouch sealer
      6. piston filler
      7. pH, water activity testing and Process Authority evaluation
  2. The facility is available for rent to commercial manufacturers only. If not, the Share Grounds can help get the business permitted and recognized by the state.

The Arkansas Food Innovation Center (AFIC) located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was established in 2013 to assist local food entrepreneurs in Northwest Arkansas. AFIC has successfully assisted a range of clients from local farmers to entrepreneurs to nonprofit organizations. These efforts have not only aided numerous agricultural producers with product development and market expansion for their crops but have also helped the community by preventing the waste of surplus crops.

    1. Commercial Equipment examples available for use:
      1. Wire-cut dough depositor
      2. Rack oven
      3. Food processor
      4. Tilt Skillet
      5. Bottle rinse
      6. Labelers
      7. pH, water activity testing and Process Authority evaluation
    2. The facility is available for rent to commercial manufacturers only. If not, the Arkansas Food Innovation Center (AFIC) can help get the business permitted and recognized by the state.

The Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks (AFIC@MCO)is a 45,000-square-foot food processing facility located in Springdale, Arkansas. We support local food entrepreneurs with a range of services, including a shared-use commercial kitchen, food processing and bottling capabilities, and educational workshops. We offer technical support, business development assistance, and resources to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. AFIC@MCO fosters innovation and economic growth and reduces hurdles for small food businesses in Northwest Arkansas.

  1. Commercial Equipment examples available for use:
    1. State of the art commercial equipment
    2. Certified processing environment
    3. Low volume contract food processing
    4. Product development
    5. pH, water activity testing and Process Authority evaluation
  2. The facility is available for rent to commercial manufacturers only. If not, the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks (AFIC@MCO) can help get the business permitted and recognized by the state.

Private Certified Kitchens and food processing facilities are located all over the state. Food manufacturers are required to be certified manufacturers and must enter into an agreement with the owner, institution or entity.  These facilities do not typically offer help with obtaining a manufactured food certification but does provide a functionally equipped and Arkansas Department of Health approved manufacturing facility.