Shared Harvest Foodbank Strategic Planning

Fairfield, OH

As Shared Harvest Foodbank enters a new chapter of growth and leadership, they recognize the importance of a refreshed strategy that strengthens the operational foundation, deepens engagement with their neighbors, and amplifies their impact across the region. New Venture Advisors will facilitate the development of a three-year strategic plan that advances their mission to find, rescue, and distribute food to those in need across five counties. (2026) 

Agriculture, Food Security, and Innovation Center Feasibility Study

Prince George’s County, MD

New Venture Advisors is conducting a feasibility study for the Prince George’s County Agriculture and Food Security Innovative Center, a proposed hub to preserve agricultural heritage while expanding food access and economic opportunity. NVA is assessing operational, financial, and implementation considerations for a multi-function facility supporting aggregation, processing, business incubation, food recovery, and workforce training. (2026)

Seattle Public Market Development

Seattle, WA

Seattle’s White Center neighborhood is home to a growing vision for an international public market celebrating cultural foods and entrepreneurship. New Venture Advisors (NVA) worked with African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) to advance design and feasibility planning for the project. The market will include an indoor marketplace, shared kitchen, and community gathering spaces tailored to diverse local needs. Collaborating with ACHD’s design-development team, NVA developed test fits, equipment plans, and financial models to ensure the facility aligns with both operator goals and community priorities. (2026)

Utah Local Ag & Food System Study

Salt Lake City, UT

To strengthen Utah’s local food economy, the Department of Agriculture and Food engaged New Venture Advisors to lead a comprehensive statewide study. The project examines barriers to local food growth, production costs, and economic impacts while identifying funding pathways through grants and public programs. Advanced economic modeling and stakeholder engagement guide the analysis. The resulting recommendations will inform future policy and investment in Utah’s agricultural sector. (2026)

Benton Harbor Farmers Market Hub Feasibility Study

St. Joseph, MI

Rooted in a historic agricultural marketplace in Michigan’s Fruit Belt, the Benton Harbor Farmers Market Hub Feasibility Study is exploring how a year‑round, community‑focused farm hub could strengthen local food systems and connections. New Venture Advisors (NVA) is supporting United Way of Southwest Michigan and its partners in developing a plan that could expand direct‑to‑consumer opportunities and new market channels for small and mid‑sized farms, while integrating food security programs and workforce development pathways. Through this process, NVA is helping to envision how a legacy site could become a dynamic regional farm hub. (2026)

Milwaukee Food System Assessment

Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Food Council (MFC) supports a locally-anchored food system that advances Milwaukee’s social, economic, and environmental well-being through collective action. Led by a diverse board, it is a network and movement to advance culture, policy, and practice towards a healthier and more equitable food system. To advance these initiatives, MFC recently received funding through Bader Philanthropies to complete a food system assessment conducted by New Venture Advisors. (2026)

Home Sharing Program Feasibility Study

Kalamazoo, MI

The City of Kalamazoo is investigating a Home Sharing program in Kalamazoo. Home Sharing creates households where two or more unrelated people share a home, creating a mutually beneficial living arrangement that can include keeping people in their existing homes, increasing the number of affordable housing units available, and creating community and companionship, including potential connections across generations and cultures. NVA will design and implement a feasibility study of a potential Home Sharing program to validate the model before the city decides whether or not to prioritize Home Sharing in its jurisdiction. (2026)

Medicaid Medically Tailored Meals Feasibility Study

Lansing, MI

To integrate food and nutrition services into healthcare, Michigan is expanding its Medicaid “In Lieu of Other Services” (ILOS) program. New Venture Advisors supported the Food Bank Council of Michigan by assessing the feasibility of statewide meal production using the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan’s Lansing facility. The team created program structures and pilot-to-scale rollout models supported by innovative financial analysis. This work helps position food banks and community organizations to deliver health-aligned meal services sustainably. (2025)

Alachua County Fresh Food Pathways Project

Gainesville, FL

In Florida, Alachua County’s Fresh Food Pathways initiative is laying the foundation for a regional food hub that strengthens local food systems and expands opportunities for area farms. New Venture Advisors led a comprehensive feasibility study and agricultural assessment aligning design with local production capacity and market demand. The team collaborated with community leaders to ensure inclusive engagement across diverse stakeholders. NVA is partnering with Alachua County to pilot a program that tests key concepts for a future aggregation and distribution network. (2026)

Clinton Hill Grocery Developments

Newark, NJ

In the Clinton Hill neighborhood, community-led grocery ventures are becoming a model for equitable food access. New Venture Advisors is partnering with Clinton Hill Community Action to develop both a mutual aid grocery and a food cooperative. The team designed and modeled multiple formats to align with community goals and facilitated engagement to build local leadership capacity. NVA also coached the launch of the mutual aid grocery, ensuring both initiatives are rooted in sustainability and local ownership. (2026)

LocalShare By The Numbers: Measuring Impact

Hope, NJ

To expand the impact of its gleaning work, the Foodshed Alliance partnered with New Venture Advisors to design a robust system for measuring and communicating results. The LocalShare program has already rescued more than 925,000 pounds of surplus produce from New Jersey farms to feed neighbors in need. NVA developed a data management and reporting dashboard that tracks performance, partnerships, and community outcomes. These tools help LocalShare demonstrate value to funders while continuously improving program effectiveness. (2025)

San Luis Valley Community Food and Agriculture Assessment & Action Plan

Alamosa, CO

New Venture Advisors supported the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition in advancing an equitable, climate-responsive food system across Colorado’s six-county San Luis Valley. NVA led a Community Food and Agriculture Assessment and action planning process, centering local voices to identify shared priorities and deliver a regional roadmap for coordinated policy, programs, and food system resilience. (2026)

Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan

Maui, HI

New Venture Advisors supported the development and completion of the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan for the Maui County Department of Agriculture. Building on a recent food system needs assessment and community talk story sessions, NVA translated community priorities into actionable policy recommendations and an implementation strategy to advance nutrition security, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and local food production. (2025)

Download plan here.

Small Business Incubator Feasibility Study

East Providence, RI

In East Providence, city leaders wanted to explore how to transform the former Oldham Elementary School into a vibrant multi-use incubator. New Venture Advisors conducted a feasibility study to design a space that fosters entrepreneurship across the blue economy, small business, and the arts. The project integrated  community needs, workforce opportunities, and housing access into its planning. NVA also partnered with the City to identify development partners and host listening sessions to guide an inclusive and locally grounded vision. (2025) Download report and business plan.

Oneida County Dairy Processing Study

Rome, NY

Strengthening New York’s dairy sector required a detailed look at local processing capacity and market opportunity. New Venture Advisors partnered with Mohawk Valley EDGE to evaluate feasibility for a new dairy processing facility serving producers and cooperatives in Oneida County. The assessment identified value chain gaps and optimal facility locations while highlighting innovative technologies and operational models. NVA’s recommendations support modernization, efficiency, and long-term resilience in the regional dairy industry. (2025)

Johnson County Farmers Market Action Plan

Olathe, KS

New Venture Advisors co-led Johnson County, Kansas’s first countywide Farmers Market Action Plan, strengthening a network of nine markets and expanding access to fresh food for emerging farmers and food-insecure residents. NVA combined market-level research, community engagement, and policy analysis to deliver tailored market recommendations, municipal policy guidance, and a foundation for a transferable farmers market toolkit to be published in 2026. (2026)

Windy City Harvest VeggieRx Strategic Plan

Chicago, IL

For Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest program, managing the rapid growth of VeggieRx required strategic realignment. New Venture Advisors evaluated the produce prescription program’s expansion and helped refocus its operations for long-term sustainability. The strategic plan redefined success metrics around impact and service quality while aligning ambitions with available capacity. NVA’s recommendations created a balanced framework for scaling health-focused food access programs sustainably. (2024)

Prison Farm to Institution Feasibility Study

Norton, KS

At the Norton Correctional Facility in Kansas, a 10-acre farm already producing tens of thousands of pounds of food each year is becoming a model for farm-to-institution innovation. New Venture Advisors partnered with the Norton Regional Health Foundation to design a program that expands production to serve hospitals, schools, and workforce development. The team created operational models and facility designs tailored to the unique context of a state medium-security prison. NVA also adapted engagement tools to include input from inmates and staff, ensuring alignment with rehabilitation and training goals. (2025)

Wisconsin Food Banks Grocery Card Study

Milwaukee, WI

Two leading Wisconsin food banks are innovating new ways to improve accessibility and choice for rural residents. New Venture Advisors partnered with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin to design a payment system that enables neighbors to purchase fresh food directly from local grocers and retailers. Funded by the Alliant Energy Foundation, the pilot spans 35 counties with potential to expand statewide. NVA identified emerging technologies, developed partnerships, and created evaluation metrics to guide implementation and scale the program’s impact. (2025)

Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program Evaluation

Appleton City, MO

New Growth is a rural community development corporation and a nonprofit affiliate of West Central Missouri Community Action Agency. New Growth’s mission is to build local ownership and lasting livelihoods from deep rural roots by building the entrepreneurship resources and culture that rural communities need to thrive. Funded by a USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant and through a collaboration of seven organizations, they are helping beginning farmers scale up into wholesale and develop market outlets for their products. New Venture Advisors is providing evaluation services to measure the impact of the program in elevating participating farmers and increasing their success to remain in farming. (2025)

Renew Moline Community Food Center

Moline, IL

Transforming a historic downtown building into a lively public market and food business hub, the City of Moline is reimagining its riverfront district. New Venture Advisors conducted a feasibility study, with Renew Moline, and refined the concept through extensive community feedback. The envisioned space includes a retail food hall, shared kitchen, incubator, community gathering areas, and offices to support entrepreneurs. The team developed a comprehensive redevelopment strategy, identified key partners and tenants, and structured the model to align with local goals for cultural and economic growth. (2024)  Download report here.

Feasibility Study for Abattoir at Fauquier Livestock Exchange

Marshall, VA

Expanding local meat processing capacity has been a longstanding goal for producers in northern Virginia. To explore this opportunity, New Venture Advisors partnered with the Fauquier Livestock Exchange (FLX) and Fauquier County to assess the feasibility of an abattoir co-located with the existing livestock auction facility. The team developed financial models illustrating how an operator could launch and sustain the business within FLX’s framework. NVA continues to assist with partner and operator identification while refining the development model for long-term success. (2026)

Indiana Food Vision

Indianapolis, IN

To chart a resilient and equitable future for Indiana’s food system, the state partnered with New Venture Advisors and Indiana University to finalize and launch the Indiana Food Vision. This statewide roadmap identifies policy, program, and funding opportunities to strengthen local food economies. The 2025 rollout includes branding, social media, and public engagement built on nearly 40 listening sessions and more than 3,600 survey responses. Through this collaborative process, NVA helped ensure the plan reflects the voices and priorities of communities across the state. (2025)

Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment & Action Plan

Medford, OR

The Rogue Valley Food System Network and its partners have been working for several years to identify current assets and gaps in the food system. They aim to address several areas of opportunity: 1) to increase food security and access in limited resource communities, 2) to stabilize production growth by identifying land and infrastructure access and marketing gaps, and 3) to support community outreach and education about food systems impacts. The result is a Community Food Assessment and Food Action Plan containing the network’s strategic directions for the next decade. New Venture Advisors provided strategic support to the network in completing the assessment and plan. (2025)

Food Network Project Feasibility Study

Newark, NJ

Newark Alliance is working to transform the city’s food system into an engine for inclusive growth. New Venture Advisors led a comprehensive feasibility study for a central food hub or network of hubs that supports economic opportunity, job creation, and community well-being. The process included workshops, charrettes, and listening sessions to ensure diverse community voices shaped the vision. NVA also developed a two-phase strategy and flexible public market concept to guide early-stage development. (2025)

International Public Market Feasibility Study

King County, WA

Envisioned as a dynamic hub for culturally diverse foods and experiences, an International Public Market in South King County could serve as both an economic and cultural landmark. New Venture Advisors led a feasibility study with the Port of Seattle and King County to evaluate the concept, engaging immigrant and refugee communities through multilingual research tools in seven languages. The team analyzed consumer spending and global case studies of successful markets. These findings helped shape a development model celebrating heritage while fostering entrepreneurship and tourism. (2024)

Download the report.

Traders Hill Farm Agricultural Complex

Hilliard, FL

In the border region of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, Traders Hill Farm envisioned a regional agricultural complex to strengthen the food economy and connect small producers. New Venture Advisors designed a multi-phase campus model integrating growing, processing, storage, distribution, and retail access within a coordinated network. The feasibility study evaluated market potential, financial viability, and phased development strategies to support long-term success. NVA also facilitated collaboration among food access, distribution, and food security organizations to explore models that serve both emergency response and traditional food supply systems. (2025)

Santa Clara County Community Food Hub Feasibility Plan

San José, CA

In San José, Veggielution envisioned a regional food hub that would expand support for farmers and entrepreneurs while strengthening its park-based facilities. New Venture Advisors evaluated feasibility and created a framework for collaboration across the region. The process included inclusive, multilingual engagement to ensure diverse stakeholder representation. NVA also developed coaching guides and toolkits to empower local leaders to connect with multilingual farmers and residents in shaping a comprehensive city- and countywide plan. (2024)

Southern Illinois Mobile Market Feasibility Study

Chicago, IL

New Venture Advisors conducted a feasibility study for Faith in Place’s Southern Illinois Mobile Market initiative, which aims to expand healthy food access across 17 rural counties. NVA assessed community needs, partners, and service locations, and developed a plan and implementation toolkit to support a collaborative mobile market network that strengthens access while supporting local producers. (2024) Read the case history 

Food Mill Food Infrastructure and Ag Corridor

Columbus, GA

In Columbus, Georgia, The Food Mill and its partners are transforming a corridor into a vibrant ecosystem for food access and entrepreneurship. New Venture Advisors helped design the model for this next phase, building on earlier facility expansion work. The project features shared kitchens, gardens, mobile farmer markets, and retail spaces supported by a Healthy Food Financing Initiative grant. The team also conducted capacity assessments to align partner strengths and expand opportunities across neighborhoods. (2024)

City of Wichita Food and Farm Council Launch

Wichita, KS

New Venture Advisors supported the City of Wichita in launching the Food and Farm Council, an advisory body recommended by the City of Wichita/Sedgwick County Food System Master Plan. NVA assisted with early coordination, stakeholder engagement, and staff preparation to support long-term council governance and sustainability. (2024)

Kent County Food System Planning

Grand Rapids, MI

Strengthening the regional food system in West Michigan required a comprehensive, community-informed approach. New Venture Advisors led the Kent County Food Policy Council through a Food System Assessment, Policy Assessment, and Plan addressing access, agriculture, education, and equity. NVA conducted a policy scan to identify opportunities for alignment across local plans and zoning codes. Collaborating with the local health department, NVA also integrated food system questions into a community health survey to broaden engagement and representation. (2025)  Download the plan.

California Indian Traditional Food Incubator

Santa Rosa, CA

In Sonoma County, the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center is creating a kitchen incubator rooted in Indigenous foodways and entrepreneurship. New Venture Advisors guided  the programming, design, and pre-construction phases of this SBA-funded initiative. The project will establish a dedicated space for American Indian and Alaska Native food producers to launch and grow their businesses. The team also adapted research tools to authentically reflect community voices and led the selection of a design partner to bring the concept to life. (2025)

Community Gardens in City Parks Plan

Cedar Rapids, IA

New Venture Advisors partnered with the City of Cedar Rapids and Wheat Design Group to develop the Community Gardens in City Parks Plan. NVA supported a community-driven process and created a garden amenities toolkit, concept plans for eight parks, and a management framework for the City to expand equitable access to community gardens, advancing healthy food access and local climate action goals. (2023) Download the plan

Food Bank Council of Michigan Senior Food Access Pilot Program

Lansing, MI

Across Michigan, seniors in remote or transportation-limited areas face growing barriers to food access. To address this, New Venture Advisors worked with the Food Bank Council of Michigan to design and test a statewide home-delivery pilot with seven regional food banks. The project involved collaboration among five partner organizations to optimize logistics and innovate distribution solutions. NVA also created a simulation-based exercise to pressure-test the model and improve efficiency within the unified food bank system. (2023)

Community Food & Gardens Center Feasibility Study

DeKalb County, IL

In Northern Illinois, Rooted For Good is developing a first-of-its-kind community hub that integrates food, health, and wellness on a multi-acre campus. New Venture Advisors supported multiple phases of research, engagement, and planning to refine the campus design, operations, and financial strategy. The site will include expanded farm operations, greenhouses, a garden retail center, kitchen, warehouse, and education spaces. The team also created dynamic financial models exploring traditional and innovative revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with Rooted For Good’s mission. (2024)

Southwest Kansas Food System Assessment

Kansas City, KS

New Venture Advisors conducted a comprehensive food system assessment across 14 counties in Southwest Kansas for the Kansas Food Action Network and local partners. In one of the state’s highest-need regions, NVA analyzed food access, infrastructure, and equity, integrating resident interviews and roundtables to identify key barriers, opportunities, and priorities to guide policy and program investments. (2024)

Download assessment here.

Eastern Market Processing and Distribution Expansion Study

Detroit, MI

As Detroit’s historic Eastern Market prepared for a major expansion, New Venture Advisors helped envision the next chapter of this 130-year-old food district. The firm conducted a feasibility study and designed two new food safety–compliant facilities to house processing, warehousing, and distribution businesses, freeing up the main campus for retail and community uses. The team developed detailed layouts for large-scale processing and market spaces to support regional farmers and entrepreneurs. NVA also built analytical tools to evaluate statewide logistics and distribution routes, ensuring the project strengthens Michigan’s entire food system network. (2022)

NMU Food Hub Feasibility Study

Marquette, MI

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, limited food infrastructure has long challenged local producers and distributors. To address this, New Venture Advisors and the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health evaluated the feasibility of a shared-use aggregation, distribution, and light processing facility. The expanded feasibility study assessed the economic viability of a regional network and central warehouse model. The team developed innovative operational and financial frameworks integrating volunteer, nonprofit, and for-profit components while accounting for the region’s geography and short growing seasons. (2022)

Business Impact NW

Seattle, WA

New Venture Advisors evaluated the feasibility of a shared kitchen and food business incubation program for Business Impact NW (BIN) in Woodinville, Washington. During BIN’s 90-day due diligence period, NVA conducted a rapid assessment of operational, facility, and financial viability, advised on lease negotiations, and explored sustainable sourcing and electric kitchen strategies within a planned LEED-certified facility. (2022)

Food Bank Collaboration for Northern Michigan

Flint, MI

Efforts to improve food distribution across northern Michigan inspired a joint initiative between the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and Feeding America West Michigan. New Venture Advisors evaluated the feasibility of a shared warehouse and resource center serving the Upper and northern Lower Peninsulas. Through collaborative design charrettes, the team shaped the facility’s vision and operational model while analyzing statewide supply routes. NVA’s work identified critical gaps and opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and expand access to nutritious food in rural regions. (2023)

Shawnee Grocery Study

Shawnee, OK

New Venture Advisors supported Pogo, a community-wide wellbeing initiative, through a Healthy Food Financing Initiative technical assistance grant focused on local food access solutions. NVA helped align cross-sector stakeholders, evaluated the market feasibility of a grocery store, and developed a marketing strategy and pitch materials to present the opportunity to potential operators. (2022)

CLiCK Expansion Feasibility Study

Windham, CT

Serving as a vital hub for food entrepreneurs in Windham, Connecticut, CLiCK, Inc. provides affordable kitchen access and education for lower-income and minority business owners. With demand steadily increasing, New Venture Advisors conducted a feasibility study and developed a multi-phase expansion plan to help CLiCK grow sustainably while meeting members’ evolving needs. The team analyzed facility use and programming to guide strategic development and ensure alignment with user priorities. NVA also facilitated board discussions to design a phased approach to construction, programming, and operations—balancing growth with available resources and long-term community impact. (2022)

Oneida Nation Meat Processing Facility

Oneida, WI

New Venture Advisors partnered with the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin to explore the development of a Nation-owned and operated meat processing facility as part of its ongoing commitment to food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. The feasibility study examined opportunities to localize protein processing and integrate workforce training in production spaces. NVA also created a regulatory resource guide spanning sovereign, local, and state jurisdictions to support implementation. (2022)

McHenry County College Food Hub

Crystal Lake, IL

New Venture Advisors conducted a feasibility study for a campus-based food hub at McHenry County College’s Center for Agrarian Learning. NVA developed financial and operational models centered on student-led, education-first operations, and outlined a phased facility approach aligned with the college’s long-term development strategy and funding capacity. (2022)

Norton County Food System Assessment

Norton, KS

New Venture Advisors conducted a countywide food system assessment for Live Well Norton, led by Norton Regional Health Foundation, to strengthen rural food access in Norton County, Kansas. NVA facilitated community meetings to interpret findings and assess next steps, identifying actionable opportunities—including early momentum toward a food aggregation hub at the regional correctional facility. (2022)

Download report here.

King County Innovation Hub Feasibility Study

Kent, WA

New Venture Advisors supported King County and the City of Kent in advancing local food system development through strategic planning, feasibility analysis, and community engagement. Building on the 2014 Local Food Initiative, NVA conducted a feasibility study for a local food hub and innovation space, refining the operating model, facility plan, site concept, and financial sustainability while aligning with regional urban transit development plans. The project also included engaging multilingual immigrant and refugee communities and analyzing the growth cycle of local food entrepreneurs to ensure the facility could support business incubation, acceleration, and long-term scaling. (2023)  Download report here.

The Food Basket Community Food Center

Hilo, HI

New Venture Advisors partnered with The Food Basket, Hawai’i Island’s food bank, to design and plan a new multi-facility campus that will expand food access and strengthen regional food security. The proposed East Hawai’i campus will increase capacity to meet rising community needs while enhancing resilience, disaster preparedness, and educational programming. NVA developed detailed facility designs, financial models, and 3D renderings to support funding and stakeholder engagement. Collaborating with local partners, the team also led regional workshops to shape the campus vision—positioning The Food Basket to eliminate hunger and foster a more sustainable, community-centered food system across Hawai’i Island. (2023)

God’s Pantry Food Warehouse

Lexington, KY

New Venture Advisors partnered with God’s Pantry Food Bank and Warehouses4Good to plan a fourth regional distribution center that expands food storage and distribution capacity across 50 counties in central and eastern Kentucky. Engagement with regional stakeholders informed an operating model and facility program built around user needs. NVA adapted outreach for Appalachian communities and surfaced key partnerships for community-supported development. (2022)

City of Wichita Food Access Strategy

Wichita, KS

New Venture Advisors supported the City of Wichita in addressing grocery store closures and limited access to nutritious food in low-income neighborhoods. NVA analyzed the drivers of urban food deserts, evaluated national best practices and retail business models, and helped inform the launch of Wichita’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative to strengthen neighborhood food access through existing stores. (2021)

Regional Food System Data Collection

Austin, TX

New Venture Advisors supported the Central Texas Foodshed Collaborative, led by the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability, in strengthening data-driven food system decision-making. NVA established baseline metrics, identified data gaps, and designed a framework for ongoing measurement and learning—laying the foundation for the Central Texas Food System Dashboard launched in 2023. (2022)

Barry County Blue Zones Initiative: Community Food Center Feasibility Study

Hastings, MI

New Venture Advisors partnered with the Barry Community Foundation and B.Healthy Barry County, formerly Blue Zones Activate Barry County, to help realize the community’s vision for a Community Food Center that promotes health, nutrition, and local food access in Hastings, Michigan. NVA conducted a feasibility study to determine the ideal mix of programs, models, and locations for long-term success. The center is proposed to open in late 2026 as Mill Street Market is combining a year-round farm stop (grocery), kitchen incubator, and education spaces alongside daycare and community facilities. NVA also partnered with Argus Farm Stop to model the farm-stop grocery concept to ensure both sustainability and community impact. (2026)

Junction City and Geary County Food System Master Plan

Junction City, KS

The Live Well Geary County Food Policy Council developed a 10-year Food System Plan to guide the growth of its local food system, identifying policy solutions across the full food chain—from production to consumption. The Plan was unanimously adopted by both the Junction City and Geary County Commissions in July 2022. New Venture Advisors provided strategic direction and technical assistance, supported adoption, and continues to assist with early-stage implementation. (2022)  Download plan here.

Riley County and City of Manhattan, KS Food System Master Plan

Manhattan, KS

The Food and Farm Council of Riley County and the City of Manhattan, Kansas partnered with New Venture Advisors to develop a comprehensive Food System Master Plan guiding a dynamic, sustainable local food system. The plan identified policy solutions across the full food chain—from production to consumption—and was shaped by community and stakeholder engagement. It was formally adopted by both governing bodies and funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant program. (2022) Download plan here.

Cultivate KC Strategic Plan

Kansas City, MO

Since 2005 Cultivate KC (CKC) has promoted urban agriculture as a pathway to a more sustainable and healthy food system for all, believing that growing and eating food is how we nurture and care for each other and the world we live in. CKC provides resources and advocacy to increase the production of and access to fresh, nutritious produce in urban areas throughout the Kansas City metro. New Venture Advisors facilitated both a SWOT analysis and strategic planning retreat for Cultivate KC’s staff. This work provided the foundation for an updated strategic plan that leverages Cultivate KC’s strengths, takes advantage of new programming and policy opportunities, and builds diversity, equity, and inclusion into the organization’s mission. (2021)

Food System Planning for the Waukegan Food Ecosphere

Waukegan, IL

Adelante Center for Entrepreneurship operates multiple social enterprises creating wealth, living wage jobs, and food security in distressed communities. New Venture Advisors provided comprehensive business planning, financial modeling, and strategic coaching that shaped Adelante’s integrated food ecosystem, helping develop strategies for the organization’s Garfield Produce Company (hydroponic microgreens operation), Post Marketplace Cafe, Post Pantry food delivery program, and plans for a flexible commercial kitchen supporting both catering operations and community programming. (2025)

Damian’s Craft Meats Feasibility Study

Ann Arbor, MI

New Venture Advisors partnered with Damian’s Craft Meats to assess and plan the development of a community-centered slaughterhouse and meat processing facility in southeast Michigan. Through a comprehensive feasibility study and business plan, NVA evaluated market potential, facility design, and financial strategies to support a more equitable and resilient regional meat value chain. The team built adaptable financial models to guide a multi-million-dollar venture with diverse capital partners and supported extensive outreach to local producers and buyers. This project positions Damian’s Craft Meats to advance sustainable growth in the regional meat sector while honoring values of animal welfare, community collaboration, and food system equity. (2021)

Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Enterprise Center Feasibility Study

Staunton, VA

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission explored an Agricultural Enterprise Center to help Shenandoah Valley producers diversify, bridge market gaps, and reach new buyers through aggregation and value-added services. New Venture Advisors conducted a comprehensive feasibility study—including input from 100+ regional farmers, ranchers, food businesses, and buyers—to define the optimal operating model, size, location, and components. The resulting Shenandoah Specialty Meat and Produce Hub included produce aggregation, meat processing and aggregation, and a commercial kitchen. (2021)  Read the report here.

Spartanburg Community Food Center Feasibility Study

Spartanburg, SC

Building on Spartanburg Food System Coalition’s 2020 food system plan, New Venture Advisors completed a preliminary assessment toward a Community Food Center. The process convened community workshops to identify program and operational partners grounded in local leadership. Equity-led decision-making ensured residents shaped the center’s functions, priorities, and lasting impact. (2021)

The Good Food Collective Social Enterprise Launch

Durango, CO

Fruit for Good is a new social enterprise of The Good Food Collective. It dehydrates gleaned fruit from area farms, sells it to regional retail and wholesale customers, and donates it to food banks and pantries. New Venture Advisors coached the organization to conduct a market study to refine the value proposition for customers, put plans on paper that define the operating model and staffing plan, project the financial resources required, and build a roadmap with milestones through the pilot and full launch. (2021) Read the case history

Shagbark Seed & Mill Growth Plan

Athens, OH

Working with Shagbark Seed & Mill—a mission-driven enterprise supporting Ohio and Appalachian family farms—New Venture Advisors helped chart a strategy for sustainable growth. The project began with a comprehensive business review and collaborative workshops with the team and board to uncover opportunities for scaling production, enhancing efficiency, and streamlining operations. NVA translated these insights into a detailed multi-year growth plan supported by financial and market models outlining three strategic phases. This roadmap positions Shagbark to expand its reach, strengthen regional food systems, and increase demand for locally grown organic grains and beans. (2021)

Great Plains Food Bank Mobile Market

Fargo, ND

New Venture Advisors assessed the feasibility of a mobile market social enterprise for the Great Plains Food Bank, serving North Dakota and western Minnesota. Building on the food bank’s existing mobile pantry assets, NVA evaluated a model for selling fresh and shelf-stable foods—sourced from the food bank and regional producers—in communities without grocery stores. (2020)

Open Door Community House Incubator Operating Plan

Columbus, GA

New Venture Advisors designed and supported the launch of Open Door Community House’s Culinary Incubator in Columbus to expand pathways for its Culinary Arts and ServSafe graduates. NVA developed an operating plan, provided individualized coaching during the pilot phase, and created hands-on curriculum tools to support emerging food entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses. (2020)

Linn County Food System Assessment

Cedar Rapids, IA

In 2020, The Linn County Food Systems Council had ambitious goals to improve Linn County’s food system from production to consumption. They focused on increasing access to and consumption of nutritious foods by boosting the volume and diversity of food produced within the county. The first step toward accomplishing this goal was to complete a comprehensive baseline food system assessment. New Venture Advisors worked with the Council to assess four factors that are foundational to food system development: production, procurement, processing, and barriers to entry and expansion of businesses working within the food system. (2020)  Read the report here.

City of Wichita Food System Master Plan

Wichita, KS

New Venture Advisors supported the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita and the City of Wichita in developing a 10-year Food System Master Plan that outlines a comprehensive framework for food policy, infrastructure, and community investment. NVA provided technical assistance, guided a broad collaborative planning process, authored the plan, and supported early implementation, including the launch of a healthy corner store initiative. (2021)  Download plan here

Wood County Community Food Center

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

New Venture Advisors assessed the feasibility of a Community Food Center in central Wisconsin, supporting a cross-sector coalition. The work focused on creating efficiencies across hunger and health organizations, expanding access to local foods, supporting farmers and entrepreneurs, reducing stigma, and strengthening workforce development—ultimately informing a sustainable business model that helped catalyze the formation of FOCUS of South Wood County. (2020)

Northeast Market Assessment for Vermont Grain

Montpelier, VT

In 2019, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund led a team of partners to explore agricultural options for Vermont dairy producers facing an economic crisis threatening land and livelihoods. The group hypothesized that strategic investments in grain industry infrastructure could support production transition and expansion. New Venture Advisors conducted a Northeast market study and developed recommendations aligned with Vermont’s grain production strengths. (2020)

Food System Partners of McHenry County

Woodstock, IL

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) works to preserve natural and agricultural land in and around McHenry County, IL. TLC believes that agriculture can and should work with nature, not against it, to provide good food, clean water, healthy soil and a robust economy. TLC has been working in partnership with many local groups, agencies, farmers, landowners and others with the long-term goal of getting more people producing healthy food in a regenerative way in McHenry County and the larger foodshed. New Venture Advisors facilitated a summit inviting these groups to explore ideas for a shared vision and identify opportunities to work together toward a stronger, more resilient food and farm system. (2019)

Kōkua Kalihi Valley Strategic Plan

Honolulu, HI

New Venture Advisors supported Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services in strengthening the long-term sustainability of its ROOTS Program, which advances community health through food, culture, and connection. NVA developed a strategic framework clarifying program structure, analyzed unit economics across food-based enterprises and services, and delivered a roadmap to align operations, finances, and mission in support of healing and health in Kalihi Valley. (2019)

Sustainable Food Center Visioning Initiative

Austin, TX

The Sustainable Food Center (SFC) works to cultivate a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and increasing access to nutritious, affordable food. In 2018, New Venture Advisors worked with SFC to refresh its vision by helping to clarify its future role, structure and plans. Since that time SFC has been implementing the plan, and NVA has provided coaching support in defining the purpose, structure and work focus of the newly formed organization. (2021)

Oneida Community Cannery

Oneida, WI

Through a multi-year collaboration with the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, New Venture Advisors helped bring the Oneida Community Cannery through concept development —a commercial and community-use food production center designed to preserve traditional foodways and foster local entrepreneurship. Beginning with a feasibility study in 2018 and culminating in a detailed business plan in 2022, NVA guided the Nation through each stage of development. The process emphasized culturally responsive engagement rooted in storytelling, intergenerational dialogue, and local leadership. NVA also crafted an operating model that translated traditional recipes into scalable production systems, blending heritage and innovation in food systems planning. (2022)

Worcester Regional Food Hub

Worcester, MA

Originally piloted in 2016 as a kitchen incubator and aggregation hub, the Worcester Regional Food Hub strengthens the regional economy by connecting producers and consumers, advancing workforce development, and supporting food business incubation. New Venture Advisors conducted a market assessment and developed a business plan to guide the hub’s expansion and long-term sustainability. This work helped position the Food Hub for its successful transition to a permanent home at Union Station in 2025. (2019)

LISC Phoenix Commercial Kitchen Strategy

Phoenix and Mesa, AZ

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation, known as LISC, is one of the largest nonprofits in the country supporting projects to revitalize communities, transforming them into healthy and sustainable places to live, work, and raise families. Two projects in metro Phoenix, a cultural center and an affordable housing development, include commercial kitchens that will operate with a missional emphasis on job creation and serving small businesses, particularly local, women, native and minority-owned. NVA assisted in building the capacity of the management teams, and the refinement of their operating models. (2018)

Cornell University Eastern Broccoli Project

Ithaca, NY

This project began at a time when high transportation costs, interest in locally grown food, and sustainability concerns had begun to create demand for Eastern-grown broccoli. Researchers at Cornell University along with other academic and industry partners have been focused on developing a reliable, high quality, year-round supply of Eastern-grown broccoli that is welcomed in East Coast markets. NVA assisted these efforts in exploring strategies for boosting trade acceptance of this promising specialty crop. (2019)

The Food Trust Small Store Initiative

Philadelphia, PA

New Venture Advisors assisted The Food Trust in conducting a national scan of distribution networks that serve small stores such as corner stores, bodegas, convenience stores, fuel-based retail and rural grocers. The project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, examined the supply chain that moves food from production to the point of consumption to better understand the barriers in bringing fresher and more nutritious foods to small stores. (2016)

Read the report here.

Project Angel Heart Food Enterprise

Denver, CO

Project Angel Heart (PAH) delivers medically modified meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life-threatening illnesses. New Venture Advisors worked with PAH to develop a business plan for a Community Partners Program through which the organization would contract with hospitals to provide meals to patients upon discharge. The program would serve as a new revenue stream for the organization and would help providers align with new requirements and incentives emerging from the Affordable Care Act. The program is launching in 2016. (2016)

Headwater Food Hub

Rochester, NY

Headwater Foods, Inc. is a thriving food hub in upstate New York with a wholesale business line and a CSA service. New Venture Advisors worked with Headwater on a market assessment to quantify institutional demand for fresh cut produce, in support of the hub’s plans for a new processing business line. (2015)

Bridgeport Downtown Development

Bridgeport, CT

Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District is focused on the development and revitalization of downtown Bridgeport, CT. New Venture Advisors worked with Carmody Consulting on the development of an action plan to revitalize Bridgeport’s downtown district through food enterprise development, based on a series of interviews and a community planning session. (2015)

Landmarks Illinois Chicago Public School Redevelopment

Chicago, IL

Landmarks Illinois is the state’s leading voice for historic preservation. New Venture Advisors worked with Landmarks Illinois and Chicago Public Schools to identify reuse opportunities for 18 schools that had been closed by the board of education to combat budget deficits. Recognizing Chicago as a growing hub of entrepreneurial activity in food and beverage, New Venture Advisors explored adaptive reuse cases centered on important assets of these schools – their kitchens, grounds, and multi-use spaces – that could serve as a foundation for food enterprises. Read the report here. (2015)

New London Food Hub Feasibility Study

New London, CT

This study, led by United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and the New London County Food Policy Council, assessed the food landscape in the region to determine the optimal operating model for a food hub in the county and the financial viability of this potential hub. The study resulted in a decision to move forward with a nonprofit, services-focused food hub whose aim is to support growers in expanding production. (2015) Read the report here.

Western New York Food Hub

Buffalo, NY

Field & Fork Network is a food and farming organization focused on building a resilient regional food system in Western New York. In partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Field & Fork worked with New Venture Advisors to complete a feasibility study and business plan for a food hub connecting small farms and wholesale customers, building a thriving, healthy community through local food. (2015)

Chesapeake Harvest Food Hub

Easton, MD

New Venture Advisors assisted Easton Economic Development Corporation in developing a business plan for an integrated farm and food hub that aggregates from producers and invests in essential infrastructure to enable Eastern Shore farmers to expand market reach, increase the supply of healthy foods to the region and create employment opportunities, while donating the equivalent of five percent of sales in food to food access programs in its trade area. The hub launched in 2016. (2015)

Casper Community Food Assessment

Casper, WY

Bould Development aims to strengthen the local food system to increase the health and prosperity of the Casper community. The project’s ambitious leader is a medical student who believes that the food system is the nation’s primary healthcare system, and that building a better food system is foundational to better health for his community. Through funding from USDA, Prevention Management Organization of Wyoming, Casper Area Economic Development Alliance, Casper Community Greenhouse Project, and Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center, New Venture Advisors led a Community Food Assessment to identify barriers to and strategies for the development of a more robust food system for the Casper area. (2015)

International Rescue Committee New Roots Food Hub

San Diego, CA

The IRC in San Diego creates innovative and sustainable projects that increase healthy, locally-grown, culturally-appropriate foods for and by refugee and low-income communities. IRC partners closely with clients, local neighborhoods and organizations throughout San Diego County to find durable solutions to food insecurity, health problems, and economic hardship through community-based food and farming projects. One such project is the New Roots Food Hub. New Venture Advisors developed a business plan to strengthen and expand the food hub to more effectively serve refugee farmers and customers in San Diego seeking these unique, fresh, local products. (2015)

Angelic Organics Learning Center Roots & Wings Food Hub

Rockford, IL

Angelic Organics Learning Center is a regional leader helping urban and rural people build sustainable local food and farm systems. The Learning Center works with stakeholders in low-income communities in the City of Rockford to increase food security through education, youth and adult urban agriculture projects, and local food enterprises including a CSA and farmstand. New Venture Advisors assisted with a feasibility study to expand these enterprises into a wholesale and retail food hub. (2015)

Mohawk Valley Food System Assessment

Cobleskill, NY

New Venture Advisors conducted the Mohawk Valley Food System Assessment under the sponsorship of Empire State Development and in partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of food businesses that could boost the agricultural sector and occupy a former textile mill in Cobleskill, NY. The team identified a number of high priority business to evaluate, and New Venture Advisors developed breakeven financial models to enable them to determine if and how to move forward. (2016)

SustainFloyd Dairy and Value-Added Processing Center

Floyd, VA

Assisting the vibrant agricultural community on the Blue Ridge Plateau toward a resilient future, SustainFloyd works to develop new ideas that will support the next generation of its rural community while preserving its resources, traditions and heritage. Among many creative ideas in development, SustainFloyd explored a value-added agricultural center to process and market locally-produced fruits, vegetables and dairy products. New Venture Advisors completed the business plan and the business began operations in 2014. (2013)

Tazewell County Resource Center Processing Kitchen

Tremont, IL

TCRC is a nonprofit agency near Peoria, IL offering programs and services that benefit persons with developmental disabilities and visual impairments. With FamilyFarmed.org, New Venture Advisors completed a feasibility assessment in 2012 for the creation of a commercial kitchen to employ TCRC workers in light food processing and provide a needed service to agricultural producers and artisan food makers in the region. (2012)

Wholesome Wave Food Hub Business Assessment Toolkit

Bridgeport, CT

New Venture Advisors worked with Wholesale Wave on the development of a technology toolkit to help food hubs be more strategic in selecting their technology vendors. The toolkit guides food hubs through the process of evaluating their overall work flow, establishing their technology needs at every step in their work flow, and developing a set of requirements for their technology provider. The toolkit also provides initial guidance on the landscape of potential technology providers food hubs might consider working with. (2013)

West Virginia University Meat Processing Enterprise Planning

Morgantown, WV

The Small Farm Center of the WVU Extension Service strives to increase the farmer’s bottom line by retaining more of the dollar spent on food in the community. New Venture Advisors was engaged by the Center’s visionary founder to help three farming communities organize, identify opportunities and assess the feasibility of enterprises which will expand meat processing capacity and strengthen the regional food economy. (2012)

Blue Ridge Produce

Elkwood, VA

Blue Ridge Produce aggregates and distributes local produce to customers in northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. area. Blue Ridge is the outcome of the study Local Food System Assessment for Northern Virginia published in 2010 by FamilyFarmed.org. During the winter of 2010/2011, New Venture Advisors wrote the company business plan and created investor materials to assist in fundraising. The Blue Ridge team raised debt and equity financing to secure a 33-acre industrial site in rural Virginia and opened its doors in May 2011. (2011)