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The Tiny Kitchen's Marketplace Initiative

The Tiny Kitchen is a growing farm to table food producer. We help increase access to clean, chemical-free products and meal preps.

$65
pledged of$15,000 goal
1
0Days Left

Project Description

People need healthy meals in their lives. Many do not have access to the tools, resources, or time to shop and prepare fresh ingredients (chopping, blending, sautéing for example).

Prep Work
Prep Work

Social distancing, shutdowns, and homeschooling due to COVID-19 creates a vacuum where meal relief is now a priority. Yet to meet these needs in Arizona, there are no Black-Owned grocers, commercial food gardens, or restaurants who specialize in healthy meal preps. 

The Tiny Kitchen has an advantage. Working in marketplaces and farmers markets around Phoenix metropolitan area positions us to receive consistent and detailed feedback. Our customers may range in age, marital, health, and socio-economic status but they all uniformly share the same problem of inconvenience in healthy meal preparation.

The Tiny Kitchen Team
The Tiny Kitchen Team at Farmers Markets and Retailers

The Tiny Kitchen's solution is to provide a marketplace that conveniently serves as a one stop shop. We will offer retail products and meal preps for pick-up and contactless delivery, but no dining services.

Meal Preps
Healthy Meal Preps (Bowls)

Our marketplace will provide the following solutions:

  • Create an opportunity for the State of Arizona to offer a Black-Owned commercial food garden, grocer, and restaurant specializing in healthy meal preps - all in one business. 
  • Offer nutrient dense food products year round from our own commercial food garden. This is facilitated by the use of water conserving aeroponic tower gardens.
Our Breads and Pastries
Our Breads and Pastries
  • We intend to serve Health Conscious (meat), Vegan, Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, and Keto-friendly lifestyles with safer pre-packaged meal preps for COVID-19. Meal preps consist of one protein or protein substitution (Quinoa or Tofu for example), a vegetable, and a starch or gluten-free/keto alternative. Pre-packaged meals can also be salads, soups, breakfasts, or specialty items like a loaded baked potato or tamales. 
Our Salads and Meals
Our Salads and Meals
  • As a grocer, we will conveniently supply a number of curated food products in a centralized space.
  • Further, we support other local businesses and farmers. Our residency at several Arizona farmers markets allows us to know artisans, farmers, and food producers. We intend to support their businesses in our marketplace.
Our Family Style Meals
Our Family Style Meals

Why Crowdfunding?

We seek funding because our business has been hit hard by COVID-19.

Initially, we began as vendors exclusively for farmers markets . Our accelerated growth was unprecedented. We were ready to expand when Gov. Ducey ordered the shutdown of public places because of COVID-19.  Due to farmers market closures, we suffered a 100% loss of revenue.

With faith, our team perservered and began working on a new business model - meal prep delivery services. Restaurant closures created a vacuum.  Pre-packaged meals or meal preps unexpectedly became the hottest food service on the market. 

Target Audiences
Target Audiences

When Arizona's economy re-opened in May, we suffered a 75% reduction in customers at the farmers markets.  We weathered the storm with contactless delivery services and shipping.

On June 29, 2020, Gov. Ducey ordered a second shutdown due to the spread of Coronavirus.  

This time, The Tiny Kitchen's business model and infrastructure is much more prepared. As the number of infected people continues to rise, we believe in our mission of increasing access to healthy meals now more than ever.

"I talked to my parents a couple nights ago and they received the package from Tiny Kitchen. They were raving about all the (vegan) breads and jams! Thank you for sending extras. That was really sweet and very much appreciated. They are happy to have some treats over the holiday." - Shannon A.  (July 03, 2020)

Our Shared Kitchen
Our Shared Kitchen

We must expand.

Our meal prep services has quickly outgrown our shared commissary space. To keep up with the potential demand of daily orders, we must expand.

We need our own commercial kitchen equipped with a walk in refrigerator, freezer, and space to sell our retail products. We need a centralized hub where our customers can come to us and our delivery trucks can replenish multiple times throughout the day.

  • Monies will be applied for consultations from our subject matter experts: Owners of our commissary, BLT Kitchens (Aioli Gourmet Burgers), Owners of Steadfast Farms and True Gardens, Cloud Kitchens, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, The City Halls of Phoenix, Chandler, and Carefree, Restaurant Associations, and Realtors. 
  • Monies will procure appropriate legal, accounting, and tax representation. 
Our Meal Prep Menu for Workplaces
Our Meal Prep Menu for Workplaces
  • Monies will be applied toward all plan reviews, business licenses, building permits, fees, and insurances.
  • Monies will be applied to the marketplace's lease and any contractors required to develop the property according to design and code.
Thank You!
Thank You!

We appreciate your support.  To acknowledge your generosity, we offer several incentives and rewards.  You could be named as a contributor to our iCare package program or bi-weekly donations delivered to food banks and/or those quarantining with COVID-19. 

iCare packages are easy to consume products and meal preps rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and omega-3 fatty acids to support the immune system.

Owner and Head Chef - Traci White
Owner and Head Chef - Traci White

Professionally, I am experienced in food and hosptality, entrepreneurship, research, customer service, and project management. All my skills acquired over twenty years proves useful to lead the establishment of a marketplace.

I am also blessed to have a loyal client base and team through COVID-19. To deliver, often under stress from social distancing restrictions, my team has become seasoned in sales, account management, food production, food safety, and transport. Together, we serve the communities of North Central, Central, and Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Desert Ridge, Carefree, and Ahwatukee.  

Serving Lifestyles
Serving Lifestyles ​​​​​​

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

What is a food garden and aeroponic tower?

The Tiny Kitchen intends to offer nutrient dense produce and food products year round from our own commercial food garden. This is facilitated by the use of cutting edge aeroponic tower gardens currently in use by True Garden Mesa, AZ. The tower garden's technology conserves the use of water, eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, and reduces our greenhouse gas emission or "carbon footprint”.

 

 

The Freestyle Foundation
07/09/2020
The High Five Reward
$65
Monetary Contribution

Error.

Please see other reward options.

0 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
The Just Because Reward

Thank you for supporting us!

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

 

0 Supporters
Select this reward
65.00 USD
The High Five Reward

Thank you for supporting us! Our mission to increase access to clean, chemical free food is more important now than ever before.

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

You will also receive a shipped package with your choice of one large bread (Banana or Zucchini) and one half pint: (Apple Butter, Sugar Free Apple Butter, Strawberry, Blueberry, or Pineapple Jam).

1 Supporter
Select this reward
100.00 USD
The Good Start Reward

Thank you for supporting us! The Good Start Reward helps push our initiative along to meet its goal.  

Our mission to increase access to clean, chemical-free food began with a mother and daughter playing in a small kitchen.  The recipes were delicious and meant for family Christmas gifts (pictured).  We joked about selling breads and jams for money.

With nothing more than a dream and $100.00, we looked into the possibilities.  It was a good start.

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

You will also receive a shipped package with your choice of two large breads (Banana, Zucchini, Apple, or Cheddar Jalapeño) and two half pints: (Apple Butter, Sugar Free Apple Butter, Strawberry, Blueberry, or Pineapple Jam).

0 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
The iCare Program Reward

Thank you for your support! In addition to our mission of increasing access to clean, chemical-free food, The Tiny Kitchen gives back to our community. 

Care packages resonate with us, for in collage there was no better gift from home. The contents were always curated and personal. 

Our approach to our work carries that same note - care which feels curated and personal.

For those struggling with homelessness or fighting COVID-19 in quarantine, we hope to bring a warm hug their way through our iCare packages.

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

You will also receive a shipped package with your choice of two large breads (Banana, Zucchini, Apple, or Cheddar Jalapeño) and two half pints (Apple Butter, Sugar Free Apple Butter, Strawberry, Blueberry, or Pineapple Jam).

Your name will also be added to our iCare Package Program. 

The Tiny Kitchen partners with local food banks and social services agencies. 

For the homeless or those quarantining with COVID-19, twice a month we donate large care packages filled with homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh breads, cucumber lemon or watermelon water, apple butter, and microwavable meal preps with foods rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and omega-3 fatty acids to support the immune system. 

Packages come in an engraved insulated transport bag for contactless delivery (see attached photo). 

A decorated handwritten tag is added onto the insulated bag with the following statement (for example): 

"The Tiny Kitchen's iCare Package is brought to you with love from The Smith Family - Fresno, CA."

Once our iCare package has been delivered, you will be mailed a card and photo for your records. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Phoenix, AZ
Created 1 Campaign
Lifestyle
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Error.

Please see other reward options.

0 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
The Just Because Reward

Thank you for supporting us!

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

 

0 Supporters
Select this reward
65.00 USD
The High Five Reward

Thank you for supporting us! Our mission to increase access to clean, chemical free food is more important now than ever before.

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

You will also receive a shipped package with your choice of one large bread (Banana or Zucchini) and one half pint: (Apple Butter, Sugar Free Apple Butter, Strawberry, Blueberry, or Pineapple Jam).

1 Supporter
Select this reward
100.00 USD
The Good Start Reward

Thank you for supporting us! The Good Start Reward helps push our initiative along to meet its goal.  

Our mission to increase access to clean, chemical-free food began with a mother and daughter playing in a small kitchen.  The recipes were delicious and meant for family Christmas gifts (pictured).  We joked about selling breads and jams for money.

With nothing more than a dream and $100.00, we looked into the possibilities.  It was a good start.

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

You will also receive a shipped package with your choice of two large breads (Banana, Zucchini, Apple, or Cheddar Jalapeño) and two half pints: (Apple Butter, Sugar Free Apple Butter, Strawberry, Blueberry, or Pineapple Jam).

0 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
The iCare Program Reward

Thank you for your support! In addition to our mission of increasing access to clean, chemical-free food, The Tiny Kitchen gives back to our community. 

Care packages resonate with us, for in collage there was no better gift from home. The contents were always curated and personal. 

Our approach to our work carries that same note - care which feels curated and personal.

For those struggling with homelessness or fighting COVID-19 in quarantine, we hope to bring a warm hug their way through our iCare packages.

Your name will be added to our list of contributors with a shout out on our website and all social media outlets. 

You will also receive a shipped package with your choice of two large breads (Banana, Zucchini, Apple, or Cheddar Jalapeño) and two half pints (Apple Butter, Sugar Free Apple Butter, Strawberry, Blueberry, or Pineapple Jam).

Your name will also be added to our iCare Package Program. 

The Tiny Kitchen partners with local food banks and social services agencies. 

For the homeless or those quarantining with COVID-19, twice a month we donate large care packages filled with homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh breads, cucumber lemon or watermelon water, apple butter, and microwavable meal preps with foods rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and omega-3 fatty acids to support the immune system. 

Packages come in an engraved insulated transport bag for contactless delivery (see attached photo). 

A decorated handwritten tag is added onto the insulated bag with the following statement (for example): 

"The Tiny Kitchen's iCare Package is brought to you with love from The Smith Family - Fresno, CA."

Once our iCare package has been delivered, you will be mailed a card and photo for your records. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward