Feeding Innovation
Feeding Innovation is a comprehensive technical assistance program designed to support entrepreneurs interested in developing or expanding healthy food businesses in food deserts or underserved areas of the state. The goal of the program is to increase access to healthy food while supporting the development of strong, local entrepreneurs and community-based businesses.
HOW IT WORKS
Feeding Innovation participants engage in a ten week entrepreneurial training program featuring Clemson Agribusiness curriculum facilitated by Clemson Extension. The courses cover everything needed to develop a basic healthy food business plan from marketing to financial planning to negotiations and deal-making. With help from the course instructor and industry experts, participants refine their ideas and develop their business plans over the ten week period before presenting them to a panel of judges during a final pitch event. The three entrepreneurs with the strongest business plans receive seed capital funding.
Congratulations to the winner of Feeding Innovation Bluffton, LadyBelle Farm Market!
2022 PROGRAM SESSIONS
Cycle 1
Application Period: March 7 - April 8
Decision Notification: late April
Classes: May 4 - July 6
Pitch Nights: July 26 - 28
Cycle 2
Application Period: June 20 - July 22
Decision Notification: early August
Classes: August 17 - October 19
Pitch Nights: November 8 - 10
CURRENT SESSION INFORMATION
Applications for Cycle 2 are due by July 22. Any entrepreneur or team of entrepreneurs interested in developing or expanding a healthy food business in South Carolina can apply to participate in Feeding Innovation cohorts during the application period. Subscribe to the SCCLF newsletter below to stay up to date on program announcements!
Download the Program Application User Guide here
Questions? Contact Program Coordinator Greg Perry at greg@sccommunityloanfund.org to learn more about future sessions.
PAST PROGRAMS
SC Community Loan Fund, in partnership with Clemson Agricultural Extension, has hosted ten Feeding Innovation rounds since the program was established in 2014. These programs have brought in a total of 113 participants, resulting in the completion of 84 healthy food business plans. A total of $170,000 in seed capital funding has been awarded through the program to help increase access to healthy food across the state.
