Share Grounds Value-Added Food Business Programshare grounds logo

The Share Grounds program provides an innovative platform for developing and growing food entrepreneurs by leveraging existing facilities and infrastructure at the County Fairgrounds. With certified kitchen space and comprehensive technical support, Share Grounds offers the perfect environment for scaling up your food business.

We currently operate a kitchen incubator and aggregation center located in Rison, AR, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.

The goals of the Share Grounds Program are to:

Increase access to and consumption of local foods in Arkansas by expanding the utilization and capacity of fairgrounds for aggregation, distribution, and value-added product development.

  • Support local farms by creating opportunities for them to expand and reach more consumers

  • Develop and expand opportunities for value-added food businesses, helping food entrepreneurs grow and succeed

  • Foster the growth of regional food economies by creating a supportive environment for local producers and businesses

  • Improve access to healthy, locally produced food in underserved communities and institutions

By working with Share Grounds, food entrepreneurs gain the tools, facilities, and connections necessary to launch or grow successful food businesses, all while contributing to a stronger, more sustainable local food system.

Have a food concept?

Consider becoming a client! Get resources to start your own food business and attend our upcoming events to learn more about the services offered at your local Share Grounds facility. 

Contact the Share Grounds Manager at sharegrounds@uada.edu. 

Starting your Small Food Business at the Share Grounds

 

Creating Opportunities for Food Entrepreneurs

 

For more videos including webinars on starting a local food business in Arkansas and at the Share Grounds kitchens, please visit our Local Food Business & Share Grounds webinars webpage and the Local, Regional & Safe Foods YouTube playlist by clicking the buttons below.

View Food Business Webinars  View YouTube Playlist

FAQs

The kitchen facilities at the Share Grounds are open and available for rent. Farmers, gardeners and small food business are eligible to use the facility. 

If you plan to process a food product, visit the ”How to Start a Food Business” page to understand the steps necessary to make your product in Arkansas.

To become a potential client, please visit our client page and contact your local Share Grounds manager to discuss your business needs.

Along with access to a certified kitchen space, the Share Grounds offers an on-site operations manager to assist with food product testing and development, regulatory technical guidance, and dry storage space.

These services and facilities are offered on a fee basis. View our fee chart for additional information.

Please note that most commercial kitchens in the US require nonrefundable application fees, security deposits, 2 month(+) minimum contracts and/or membership plans on top of an hourly rate. The Share Grounds is not the standard model.

  1. If you live in Cleveland (Rison) or Woodruff County (McCrory) consider serving in a leadership capacity by joining a county advisory committee.
  2. Join our email list to receive invites to upcoming community meetings.
  3. Make a donation.

Contact the Share Grounds Project Manager if you would like serve on an advisory board or join the contact list.

Yes! All sites are accepting donations and non cash gifts, such as pre-approved commercial equipment, donated building materials and labor.

Non cash or in-kind gifts may qualify as a tax-deductible charitable contribution.

Donors will be recognized for their sponsorship at these levels:

$100 - Seed Sower: Website recognition

$250 - Harvester: Logo on marketing brochure & website recognition

$500 - Packer: Name on sponsorship sign at a Share Grounds facility, logo on brochure & website recognition

$1000 - Distributor: Logo on sponsorship sign at a Share Grounds facility, logo on brochure & website recognition

Contact the Share Grounds Project Manager for additional information on how to donate to the project.