WMED Launches Food Entrepreneurship Program to Empower Northern Arizona’s Culinary Innovators

White Mountain Economic Development (WMED) has launched a new 12-module Food Entrepreneurship Program designed to give food professionals and aspiring business owners the tools, mentorship, and hands-on training they need to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Initially rolled out in partnership with the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN), the in-person program is tailored for a diverse range of participants—aspiring food business owners, caterers, farmers market vendors, food truck operators, and more. Each module is led by seasoned professionals in the food industry, combining group instruction with individualized mentorship to ensure every participant gets practical, actionable, and customized guidance resulting in the development of an individual business action plan.

Launched alongside WMED’s new ServSafe® Food Manager Certification program, the Food Entrepreneurship Program offers a complementary pathway—helping participants gain both the technical credentials and the business skills they need to operate successfully in the food industry.

“This program is about more than just learning the rules of the industry—it’s about giving people the confidence, skills, and connections to turn their ideas into thriving food businesses,” said Donald Laughlin, President and CEO of WMED. “Whether someone is starting with a recipe they’ve been perfecting at home or an existing small business they want to scale, we’re working with them to create a clear roadmap to success.”

The curriculum covers essential topics for food entrepreneurs, including marketing and branding; labeling and packaging; compliance and licensing; pricing and distribution; and business planning. With mentorship built into every module, participants can tackle specific challenges, refine their concepts, and learn from experts who have navigated the same path.

Over the summer, the groundbreaking program enjoyed its first successful cohort from Winslow (in partnership with the Mother Road Farmers Market) and has several others in planning including in Flagstaff (with Market of Dreams), and Show Low (through the White Mountain Innovation Station). WMED is also now partnering with Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) across Northern Arizona to establish a long-term curriculum plan and ensure the program is a mainstay in communities across the region.

Food innovators in Northern Arizona attend WMED-led food entrepreneurship program in Summer, 2025.

Graduates of the program gain more than knowledge—they also unlock access to tangible business opportunities, including placement at local farmers markets and use of WMED’s network of shared commercial kitchens across the region. The goal is to help these emerging ideas get to market and ultimately activate their revenue-generating potential.

“Our region has an incredible amount of untapped culinary talent,” Laughlin added. “By combining professional training, mentorship, and direct market access, we’re creating an ecosystem where local food entrepreneurs can thrive—and in doing so, we’re strengthening our local economy and community.”

Interested entrepreneurs can email info@wmedev.org to learn more about upcoming program availability.

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More info about Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network Grant:

The Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN), led by Local First Arizona, is working to create better job opportunities and support local businesses across five counties in Northern Arizona. They have partnered with White Mountain Economic Development, an established leader in supporting businesses and entrepreneurship, to help people get into and grow in the food industry—especially in rural and tribal communities. This includes offering access to resources like certification training, business incubation and mentorship, and commissary kitchen space.

Employers in the region have said that cooks and other food service workers are some of the hardest jobs to keep filled, with high turnover rates. At the same time, jobs like chefs and food service managers pay enough to support a family and offer room to grow. That’s why NAGJN, in collaboration with WMED, is focused on giving people a fast track to move up in food-related careers, including options to start their own food businesses.

Learn more here.