Jul 14, 2025
By Border Queen Harvest Hub
New Commercial Kitchen Takes Root in Caldwell, Thanks to Community Collaboration
A new commercial kitchen is under construction behind the Caldwell Workspace at 110 S. Main Street, bringing fresh opportunities for food entrepreneurs in the region. Made possible by a grant through K-State 105, this kitchen is designed to meet the needs of modern food businesses with specialized appliances and equipment for large-scale food preparation. It will operate in full compliance with health and safety standards.
The kitchen will be more than just a space—it will be a launching pad for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of food safety regulations, licensing, and permitting. With support from the Caldwell Workspace team, renters will also gain access to new retail markets and business development resources.
This project is a natural extension of the Caldwell Workspace’s mission. Since its founding in 2020, the Workspace has served as a hub for innovation, professional growth, and public-private collaboration. From satellite offices and wellness services to support for small businesses and startups, it continues to meet the evolving needs of local professionals. A key partnership with the Kansas Small Business Development Center ensures members can access critical business training, making it a cornerstone of regional economic vitality.
The commercial kitchen is also an important piece of a larger effort: the Border Queen Harvest Hub (BQHH). This innovative partnership—led by Sumner County Economic Development, in collaboration with Vision Caldwell, Kansas Farm Bureau, Shop Kansas Farms (SKF), and the Patterson Family Foundation—is building a regional food system that emphasizes sustainability, transparency, and community pride.
At the heart of the BQHH is a simple but powerful vision: connect the dots between production, processing, and distribution to create a more resilient, transparent local food economy. The digital supply chain map allows consumers to trace where their food is grown, processed, and sold—instilling confidence and boosting demand for locally produced food.
Using the trusted Shop Kansas Farms brand, the BQHH will scale this model regionally, capitalizing on consumers’ growing desire to know where their food comes from (identity preservation) and their willingness to pay for that connection (inelastic demand). With the BQHH in place, initiatives like Food is Medicine and local health systems' increased focus on nutrition will now have the infrastructure to support local food access.
The commercial kitchen in Caldwell is a crucial component of this infrastructure. It will:
- Support producers with training, market access, business planning, EBT integration, and branding.
- Enhance processing capacity by filling gaps in the local food supply chain, especially for prepared foods.
- Facilitate distribution through aggregation points, branded markets, and shipping support.
Work on the kitchen began in February 2025, with the community stepping up in a big way. Local volunteers and 4-H students pitched in to clean out the warehouse space, setting the tone for a true grassroots project. We want to recognize the following individuals for their time, tools, and sweat equity:
Rick McNary, Jen Kern, Stacy Davis, Brigette Baggs, Kendall Baggs, Lori Barnes, Will Barnes, Gavin Beesley, Jane Cole, Wyatt Harlan, Dan Kern, Jill Kuehny, Ross Kuehny, Dillan Kuehny, Blayre Nance, Brian Oakley, Trish Ohnemiller, Rick Ohnemiller, Tyann Orton, Seth States, Emma Volavka, Wanda Whaley, Emma Wiiest, and Andrew McNary.
The Sumner County Economic Development Commission (SCEDC) is proud to play an ownership role in the project and will lead marketing efforts to raise awareness and drive usage. Lori Barnes will manage the platform and provide day-to-day support through her work at the Caldwell Workspace. She and Jessica Ricke will oversee cleanliness and facility maintenance. Jen Kern will lead business outreach and promotion through the BQHH network.
BQHH members will receive a 10% discount on kitchen rentals once rates are finalized. The SCEDC Board views this project as a collaborative effort and is actively developing:
- Core operational policies for safety and efficiency
- Scheduling and usage processes
- Clear roles and responsibilities for all partners
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for August, celebrating not only the opening of a kitchen but the growing potential of a food system rooted in local pride and partnership.
In Caldwell, we believe great things happen when communities come together—and this kitchen is proof.