Project History

Alchemist CDC, assisted by a USDA Local Food Promotion Program planning grant and in-kind support from Dr. Kristin Kiesel (from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics – UC Davis), conducted a feasibility study to assess whether Alchemist Kitchen can be sustained in Sacramento. To read the entire feasibility study, click here. With additional in-kind support from Capsity Inc., (a California Benefit Corporation) we created a business plan for the successful creation of Alchemist Kitchen.

After receiving a FIPO grant facilitated by the Sacramento Promise Zone, the Alchemist Kitchen project officially launched with our first cohort of Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA) in the summer of 2019. This inaugural cohort graduated 16 businesses. Shortly after the second AMA cohort began in the spring of 2020, COVID-19 restrictions necessitated a rapid pivot, driving the program online with a wholly virtual classroom that has seen great success. As of April 2021, AMA has graduated three cohorts of entrepreneurs and is well into its fourth. The Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP) accepts a cohort after each AMA graduation. AKIP provides support to participating businesses to gain permits, production space, and new opportunities to reach customers.

If you are interested in learning more about this project, contact AlchemistKitchen@alchemistcdc.org