FS6 Newsletter - March 2021

FS6 Community News & Updates
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Applications for Cohort 7 closed this month and we want to extend a huge thank you to all who applied to the FS6 Business Accelerator this season. We are always inspired by this process, and are excited to see the innovators and changemakers in our community continue to grow. We look forward to sharing the final cohort in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we are excited to announce our newest offering of C-Suite Support Services! The C-Suite Support track provides on-call support for entrepreneurs and others looking to curate a bespoke engagement with FS6. Over our many years serving as trusted advisors and mentors, we have identified the need to offer values-aligned, integrity-driven expertise that is available when you need it. The FS6 team and ecosystem experts offer custom coaching to help entrepreneurs navigate the many obstacles and challenges that may arise when building a food system business. Learn more about how we can help you amplify your impact here.
 
Looking to sharpen your skills today? Explore the variety of resources available on our website.  The most recent addition, the Startup Refresh web series, dives into topics chosen with entrepreneurs in mind, from nourishing wellbeing to maintaining financial hygiene. Access the recordings and peruse the quick reference guides for each event here.

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FS6 Portfolio Updates
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Articles Featuring FS6 Portfolio Companies:

• Listen To The Coffee Sprudgecast Now On The Sprudge Podcast Network (Sprudge, Featuring Port of Mohka)
• Full Cycle Bioplastics Selected as Winner of NASA iTech Virtual Ignite the Night TAMPA ( NASA, Featuring Full Cycle Bioplastics)
• Food Justice in the Hudson Valley: A Recent History ( The River, Featuring Center for Good Food Purchasing)
• When Mexican Farmworkers Aren't Charged Fees, It's Better for Your Business ( The Packer, Featuring Equitable Food Initiative)
• Ugandan Team Develops Eco-Friendly Packaging with UK University ( PML Daily, Featuring Nafici Environmental Research)

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Portfolio company Fare Resources has rebranded as Just Fare and will now deliver scratch-made, Mediterranean-inspired organic food straight to your door! Check out their spiffy new website and fresh offerings here.

Portfolio company FluroSat has merged with soil carbon expert Dagan to rebrand as Regrow! We're excited to see what innovations emerge from this duo's combined expertise and passion for tapping into the power of agriculture to manage greenhouse gas emissions. Regrow is starting out strong- earlier this month they earned the Soy Innovation Challenge Grand Prize!

SoluBlue earned the Grand Prize at one of the top sustainability competitions in the world! Their plastic alternative not only extends the shelf-life of food, but biodegrades within eight weeks when left in a household compost bin.

The Penn State Student Farm Club hosted former students to speak to their experiences in agricultural service programs, including FoodCorps, following graduation. Alumni detailed the skills they gained and the strengths that supported their contributions to food system change. Individuals like these community members are essential to reaching FoodCorps' mission of building accessibility into the food system and making healthy food available to all children.

Upcycling continues to gain speed as a solution to combat organic waste, and Renewal Mill lights the way for many that follow in its footsteps. By choosing to challenge the status quo, founders Claire Schlemme and Caroline Cotto continue to get noticed for their innovative and passionate work to close the gaps in our food system.

The Equitable Food Initiative certification plays an important role in filling the gap between consumer expectations and industry regulations. EFI takes a particular interest in social responsibility, and has shown their commitment to cultivating this value throughout the industry by leading internal changes as well as offering educational opportunities to the public.
 
Join them in honoring #AlwaysEssential workers this National Farmworker Awareness Week. 

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News & Events from the Ecosystem
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OPPORTUNITY: Kitchen 66 Spring 2021 Launch Program
Accepting applications through March 31
 
Kitchen 66 is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2021 Launch Program! This is a 12-week course that gives a step-by-step guide to launch your food business, covering topics ranging from profitability and pricing to marketing and branding. Members of the Launch Program are able to utilize the Kitchen 66 Takeover Cafe, Landmark Food Truck and commercial kitchen at Mother Road Market for sales and product/recipe testing throughout the program. The Kitchen 66 Incubator breaks down barriers for food business entrepreneurs by providing access to affordable commercial kitchen space, business training programs, and sales & distribution opportunities.  Apply by March 31.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Business Development Director
Accepting applications through April 16, 2021
 
Mandela Partners is looking to welcome a Business Development Director to their team! This individual will support the launch and growth of community food enterprises through business incubation and advising initiatives. Learn more about the role and apply here. 

WEBINAR: Celebrating Indigenous Women Chefs
Monthly through July 13, 2021
 
The Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition is excited to announce "Celebrating Indigenous Women Chefs".  This first of its kind webinar series highlights the culinary expertise of Indigenous women through six LIVE cooking demonstrations. Join us each month as the featured guest chefs share their skills, knowledge, wisdom, and recipes. Don't miss FS6 Elder-in-Residence, Loretta Barret Oden, on July 13! Register and view past events here.

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Other Articles We're Enjoying:

• John Deere Promised Farmers It Would Make Tractors Easy to Repair. It Lied. (Vice)
• A Farm-to-Table Reprieve From the Punishment of Prison Food (New York Times)
• On the Future and Why Justice is More Important than Innovation (Alicia Kennedy)

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Support Our Work

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