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Looking for Iowa Commercial Kitchens, Community Kitchens, Licensed Kitchens, Shared Kitchens - Places to make foods to sell in 2024?  Scroll down this page and  follow the links. And if you bring home some fruit or vegetables and want to can, freeze, make jam, salsa or pickles, see this page for simple, reliable, illustrated canning, freezing or preserving directions. There are plenty of other related resources, click on the resources dropdown above.  If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

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Iowa Commercial Kitchens, Community Kitchens, Licensed Kitchens, Shared Kitchens - Places to make foods to sell

Iowa Commercial Kitchens, Community Kitchens, Licensed Kitchens, Shared Kitchens -
Places to make foods to sell!

A licensed kitchen is an inspected, registered commercial kitchen where foods intended for sale can be safely made, in accordance with laws and regulations. While many states allow some low-risk foods to be made at home and sold in smaller quantities, many foods intended for sale can only be made in a licensed kitchen. If you want to make and sell your home-made preserves, salsa, spaghetti sauce, refrigerated foods or whatever, you will need a licensed kitchen to prepare and can the food. many licensed kitchens open their doors at low cost to local food entrepreneurs.

There are many lists of commercial kitchen in Iowa,online, but the list below is the ONLY one with complete contact information and links to their websites, and all in one place. If you would rather have a company make and package the food product for you, see this list of copackers in Iowa

If you have an update about a kitchen, please click here to write me!

If you have a licensed kitchen wishing to be added to this list, add your information here.

Commercial Kitchens, Community Kitchens, Licensed Kitchens and Shared Kitchens

Note: You may find it is required by your state take the ServSafe® training classes for Manager and employees. It certainly is advisable, in any case. You can get the ServSafe® Handbook that accompanies the course here.

  • The 1105 Project -
    1105 S Gilbert Ct, Iowa City, IA, United States, Iowa, USA 52240. Phone: (319) 351-2726 ext.107. Contact kitchen manager. Email: angie.meiers@builtbycommunity.org. The 1105 Project Kitchen is available to local bakers, chefs, and other aspiring home cooks wishing to expand their culinary operation and work in a professional environment. The kitchen offers dry, refrigerated and frozen storage space and access to professional grade kitchen equipment. The 1105 Project Kitchen provides ample room for preparation and packaging of food. CommUnity Crisis Service and Food Bank
  • B-Amazing! Foods - Commercial kitchen, certified Kosher and parve
    800 2nd Street, Suite 300, Coralville, IA 52241. Phone: 319-338-7007. Email: michaeltermini@mchsi.com..
  • Hotz-Haywood Foods, LLC -
    1114 N Iowa Ave, Washington, IA 52353. Phone: 319-930-7354. Phone: 319-338-0581. Email: midwest-best-chef@hotmail.com. UPDATE for 2023: They may have gone out of business, there's nothing about them online now.
  • Kitchen Council -
    1001 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Phone: (402) 233-7152. Email: kitchencouncil@omahachamber.org. We provide access to a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, educational resources, a member community, events, mentorship and more.
  • Leopold Center -
    Ames, IA. Phone: 515-294-3711.
  • Old Brick Commercial Kitchen -
    26 E. Market St., Iowa City, IA 52245. Phone Number: (319) 351-2626. Email: director@oldbrick.org.
  • The Mickle Center -
    1620 Pleasant Street, Suite #200, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. Phone: (515) 282-4715.  Email: mcsharedusekitchen@gmail.com. Rates Start at $20/hr. Renovated in 2016 and updated with new appliances, the certified Kitchen is designed to meet the needs of chefs, caterers, food entrepreneurs, bakers, and cooking class instructors. Interested? Contact Kitchen Supervisor Mary Kapler. She will lead you on a tour, answer your questions and help you with the process of becoming a certified and state-licensed renter.
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Other Resources

If you still can't find a suitable kitchen, you may need a co-packers.  Co-packers manufacture and package foods for other companies - and small food businesses - to sell.   See this list of co-packers in your area.

 

Where can I find more information about canning?

For more than 250 specific, simple recipes with step-by-step directions and photos; and general information on canning and food preservation, see this page.