Crossroads Microenterprise Development Program: Bilingual Business Support for Food Entrepreneurs in Montgomery County

Starting a food business in Montgomery County requires more than culinary talent — it requires access to a licensed commercial kitchen, business education, and ongoing mentorship. The Crossroads Microenterprise Development Program (MDP) was created to provide exactly that.

Crossroads offers food entrepreneurs an affordable, shared-use commercial kitchen space paired with free, bilingual business support. This integrated model helps small-scale food businesses launch legally, operate efficiently, and grow sustainably.

Affordable Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen in Montgomery County

For many food entrepreneurs, the biggest barrier to entry is access to licensed production space. The Takoma Park Silver Spring Community Kitchen provides:

• Affordable commercial kitchen access

• Flexible production scheduling

• A professional environment for scaling operations

This shared-use model lowers startup costs while maintaining health and safety compliance — making it easier for emerging food businesses to move from home production to commercial sales.

As one participant shared:

“Having access to the community kitchen changed everything for my business. I was finally able to produce legally and confidently scale my orders.”

Free Bilingual Business Training for Food Entrepreneurs

Beyond kitchen access, the Crossroads Microenterprise Development Program offers free bilingual (English/Spanish) workshops and technical assistance tailored specifically to food businesses.

The MDP workshop series covers:

• Business plan development

• Food licensing and regulatory compliance

• Food costing and pricing strategies

• Packaging and branding

• Marketing and sales growth

• Inventory management

• Team development

What makes this program unique is its ecosystem approach:

• Bilingual English/Spanish instruction

• Dynamic small group learning

• Customized one-on-one technical assistance

• Industry guest speakers

• Peer-to-peer collaboration

• Connections to local farmers and food producers

Another participant reflected:

“The bilingual instruction made it accessible for me and my family. I felt seen, supported, and empowered to grow.”

And another added:

“The one-on-one technical assistance helped me fix my pricing structure. I was undercharging before — now I actually understand my margins.”

March 4–6, 2026 Workshop: Inventory Standards & Building a Reliable Team

Dates: March 4–6, 2026Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (English Session)

The upcoming MDP workshop series focuses on two of the most common challenges facing food businesses: inventory management and team development.

REGISTER NOW:

• English session: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983532422872?aff=oddtdtcreator

• Spanish session: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983534019648?aff=oddtdtcreator

  
  

Workshop: Inventory Standards & Building a Reliable Team

Sustainable business growth depends on efficient operations and a dependable team. Strong sales alone are not enough — entrepreneurs must protect their margins and build systems that support long-term stability.

During this workshop, participants will learn how to:

• Set up inventory standards that align with customer demand

• Reduce waste and improve cost control

• Identify reputable agencies and partners for market research

• Design effective training manuals and onboarding systems

• Create employee incentive programs that boost retention and morale

One graduate of the program shared:

“Before MDP, I was guessing with inventory. Now I have systems in place. That alone improved my profitability.”

Who Should Join the Crossroads Microenterprise Development Program?

This program is ideal for:

• Aspiring food entrepreneurs in Montgomery County

• Home-based food businesses looking to scale

• Caterers and packaged food producers

• Food vendors seeking licensing guidance

• Small food businesses ready to improve profitability

Whether you are launching your first product or refining your operations, MDP provides practical tools and real support.

Strengthening the Local Food Ecosystem

The Crossroads Microenterprise Development Program plays a vital role in strengthening Montgomery County’s local food economy. By combining commercial kitchen access with bilingual business training and mentorship, the program empowers entrepreneurs to build sustainable, community-rooted businesses.

If you are thinking about starting a food business or need guidance taking your food business to the next level, fill out the interest form to receive program updates and additional resources.

Si está pensando en comenzar un negocio de alimentos o necesita orientación para llevar su negocio al siguiente nivel, le invitamos a llenar el formulario de interés para recibir notificaciones y más información.

To learn more about other local commercial kitchens and food business support in Montgomery County, visit the Food Business Resources page.