Call for proposal to operate City of Brampton’s first-ever Certified Commercial Kitchen now issued
The Voice of Canada – The City of Brampton has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking proponents to operate its new certified Commercial Kitchen project. Once operational, the commercial kitchen will serve as a culinary hub and food incubator in the heart of Brampton’s Downtown Innovation District by creating a public health-certified commercial kitchen space for chefs, cooks, bakers, private caterers, and food entrepreneurs.
This new culinary space will address the lack of certified commercial kitchens in Brampton by increasing access and affordability to approved food-handling establishments. Providing access to a public health-certified space will create jobs and attract new businesses. In addition, Brampton’s new commercial kitchen will enhance diversity and inclusivity by creating food products that showcase Brampton as a Mosaic and support the local agri-food industry by promoting local farming and local food production.
Brampton’s dynamic food sector brings tourism to the City. The new commercial kitchen will be located in Suite 103 at 41 George Street South as a part of the Integrated Downtown Plan (IDP). Through the IDP, the City is revitalizing and redeveloping vacant City-owned buildings in Downtown Brampton to return business and opportunities to the area.
The Commercial Kitchen project is supported by a non-repayable contribution of more than $500,000 from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF). CCRF was established to support cities across Canada by funding projects that build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets, bring people back to public spaces safely and stimulate local economies.
Quotes
“The Commercial Kitchen Project will help foster food entrepreneurship and bolster local culinary businesses right here in the heart of downtown Brampton, and I’m proud to be the first community in Peel to offer this space. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I would like to thank our federal partners for their contribution to this project. We’re looking forward to creating new opportunities that advance Brampton’s food entrepreneurs and businesses.”– Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“I’m excited to see this project come to fruition. It is an excellent addition to The Innovation District and supports the agri-food industry through the promotion of local farming and local food production. This new shared, commercial kitchen will contribute to the evolution and growth of the sharing economy, allowing entrepreneurs the ability to exchange best practices.”-Gurpartap Singh Toor, Regional Councillor Wards 9 & 10, Chair, Economic Development Committee
“By creating a shared space for food entrepreneurs and small businesses, the commercial kitchen will increase opportunities for culinary inclusivity and celebrate Brampton’s mosaic of cultures. I’m thrilled that this project will not only support Brampton’s businesses but will also invite the residents to learn new skills and enjoy what Brampton has to offer.”- Marlon Kallideen, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
“Downtown Brampton already boasts a vibrant, welcoming, and diverse food district. Now, with the commercial kitchen, we are taking another step forward in our efforts to promote food tourism in the downtown. By fostering innovative food solutions and supporting new entrepreneurs, the commercial kitchen helps develop our food sector and attract more out-of-town and visitor spending.”-Carrie Percival, Chair, Downtown Brampton BIA
“The Certified Commercial Kitchen will be a new culinary hub in Brampton that will bring people together and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to create and develop new culinary and Agri-food businesses. Our government was pleased to support the creation of this beautiful new, diverse, inclusive, accessible and energy-efficient space. We look forward to welcoming food entrepreneurs to Brampton who are ready to grow and share their delicious food with all of us.”- Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
