SEASONED ACCELERATOR

SETTING THE TABLE TO SUPPORT SMALL FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESSES:
A LEGACY OF IMPACT

In the pre-pandemic world, a conversation between Valeria Velazquez Duenas, then Director of Programs at Food Access LA, and Jocelyn Ramirez, Founder of Todo Verde, sparked an idea. They envisioned creating a program to equip low-to-moderate income food entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the tools to grow and thrive. 

That dream came to life in 2020 with the launch of the Seasoned Accelerator, funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD).

Designed to support micro and small food businesses, the Seasoned Accelerator was unique in its focus on food and beverage entrepreneurs. Over four years, the program proudly served 62 entrepreneurs, helping them transform their visions into thriving businesses.

Participants achieved significant milestones, including launching national CPG brands, opening brick-and-mortar locations, catering high-profile events like the Super Bowl, and winning pitch competitions.

KENCHAN RAMEN- COHORT 3 ALUMNI

Each year, a cohort of 10 entrepreneurs received: 

  • 1:1 Coaching in business operations from experienced food and beverage consultants. 

  • Marketing Advising with food and beverage marketing experts. 

  • Educational Webinars on the food industry and business development led by industry professionals. 

  • Access to Resources like grants, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), and small business loans. 

  • Professional Photography to showcase their work. 

Our knowledgeable coaches and instructors covered topics such as Growth Strategy, Business Planning, Operations Refinement, and Financials. Together, they helped participants navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and achieve their goals. 

Unfortunately, the economic climate has compelled us to pause the Seasoned Accelerator. While the program is no longer active, its impact on the Los Angeles food community endures. 

SEASONED BOOTCAMP: A Milestone in Supporting First-Time Entrepreneurs

The Seasoned Bootcamp was designed to provide support to first-time food and beverage entrepreneurs. With funding from LISC LA in 2021, we partnered with Occidental College’s Urban and Environmental Institute to learn about the experiences and needs of local food and beverage entrepreneurs. Through this research, we discovered that access to mentorship and financial resources were among the key challenges faced by these entrepreneurs, with gaps being more significant for those who identified as female and/or BIPOC. 

These findings informed our approach to both the Accelerator and the Seasoned Bootcamp program. 

In 2023, we successfully piloted the Seasoned Bootcamp with support from Wells Fargo. This pilot was specifically targeted to BIPOC women who planned to launch their first food or beverage businesses or who were in the early stages of operations (less than six months). The twelve-week program provided participants with the information and resources needed to build a solid foundation for operating in the food industry. 

During the program, participants received: 

  • Webinars on the food industry and business development, focusing on startup topics. 

  • Independent study materials to enhance learning. 

  • Group coaching sessions conducted by experienced food and beverage professionals. 

  • Connections to entrepreneurship resources and opportunities. 

The sequence of Bootcamp webinars was designed in collaboration with Corissa Hernandez, with the intention of building on knowledge acquired in each successive course. 

While the Seasoned Bootcamp was a successful and impactful initiative, we are currently pausing its operations as we reevaluate how best to support our community. 

We remain deeply proud of the program and its participants, who demonstrated incredible determination and creativity. While it is no longer active, the lessons learned, and the connections made through the Bootcamp continue to inspire our commitment to fostering equity and opportunity in the food and beverage industry. 

EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES

Thank you for supporting this journey — We invite you to explore the resources and knowledge it created. We remain committed to fostering an equitable food system and empowering food entrepreneurs.

Seasoned Accelerator

For those with an existing small food business:

ACCELERATOR WEBINARS

Seasoned Bootcamp

For first-time food and beverage entrepreneurs:

BOOTCAMP WEBINARS

  • “I've learned to make more nutritious foods and found out that it actually tastes good.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I learned to cook healthier and to be better. [The classes] help me to be better physically and to share recipes with my son.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I've made many changes in my daily life because of what I’ve learned thanks to the wonderful staff who motivate me to live healthier [...] progress like never before and many of my friends have even made comments about my “Healthier” appearance.”

    Raphael Santillan, Central Avenue Farmers’ Market

  • "The program was amazing; I learned that eating healthy is a lifestyle I should make. I am thankful for everything. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.”

    Cindy Ortiz, Parent Center

  • “Nutrition classes helped me to make right choices in regards to shopping more veggies and fruits than meats and dairy products.

    Narina Kazarian, Parent Center

  • “There was a reason I kept coming back week after week. I want to thank you for teaching me how to read the labels because now when I go to the store I know how to tell what’s good for me and what isn’t."

    Darryl Turner, MLK Campus Farmers Market

  • "I never liked green beans or red peppers [but after learning about stir fry] I had to convert! It’s helpful to have different things to cook that are not only healthy but also very good. I’m very happy that I was introduced to something new by coming to your class.”

    Andres Lara, MLK Campus Farmers Market