NEW HAVEN, CT—Described as a one-of-a-kind event, CitySeed and the Hispanic Federation, in partnership with the Urban League of Southern CT and CT Food Launchpad, are hosting a full-day CT Food Business Lab for Food Entrepreneurs at Southern Connecticut State University on Oct. 6.
CitySeed, a New Haven-based nonprofit dedicated to building a just and resilient local food system, and the Hispanic Federation present the inaugural CT Food Business Lab.
A free, day-long event designed to bring Connecticut's food entrepreneurs together in one powerful space. The 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. event will be held at the SCSU School of Business.
"Whether just starting on a food business journey or ready to scale to the next level, this event is built for everyone," a news release noted. The event brings together the "brightest minds in food business, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship—all under one roof and completely free of charge to attendees."
Free tickets to the CT Food Business Lab are available here.
What to Expect
The CT Food Business Lab is structured as an action-packed day from start to finish:
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Arrival & Registration — Kick off the day with light refreshments and connect with fellow food entrepreneurs before the program begins.
10:00 AM – 12:15 PM | Morning Workshops — Dive into expert-led workshop sessions covering the topics food entrepreneurs need most. These include: financial literacy and profitability, marketing and social media, and an access to capital panel.
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Light Lunch & Networking — Enjoy a catered lunch and continue building connections with community members..
1:30 – 4:30 PM | One-on-One Expert Advising — The afternoon shifts to personalized, 15-20 minute one-on-one sessions with subject matter experts. Attendees can sign up for tailored guidance directly connected to the morning's workshop topics.
4:30 – 5:00 PM and 5:00 PM–6:00 PM | Close of program and final Networking Hour — Close out the day celebrating the community and keeping the momentum going.
Why This Matters
Connecticut's food entrepreneur community is vibrant, diverse, and growing. At CitySeed, we have spent over two decades working alongside food entrepreneurs and farmers, and we know firsthand that access to the right knowledge and the right connections can be the difference between a dream and a thriving business. This Business Lab is our way of bringing those resources directly to the people who need it the most.
"We are so excited to bring this event to life in partnership with the Hispanic Federation and various partners. Connecticut has an incredible community of food entrepreneurs, and this Business Lab is about giving them the tools, connections, and confidence to grow," said CitySeed Director of Food Business Sasha Fay. "We want every person who walks through the door on October 6th to leave feeling inspired and equipped. This is exactly the kind of work that lights us up at CitySeed."
The event is funded in part through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and reflects a shared commitment between CitySeed and the Hispanic Federation to uplift food entrepreneurs across Connecticut, particularly those from immigrant and BIPOC communities. Bilingual support in English and Spanish will be available throughout the day.
About CitySeed
CitySeed is a New Haven-based nonprofit dedicated to building a just, sustainable, and resilient local food system. Through farmers markets, a food business incubator, and community-centered programming, CitySeed supports hundreds of food entrepreneurs each year with the training, resources, and market access they need to thrive.
About the Hispanic Federation
The Hispanic Federation is a premier nonprofit membership organization that supports Hispanic families and strengthens Latino institutions across the United States. Through grantmaking, advocacy, and community programming, the Hispanic Federation works to advance social and economic equity for Latino communities.
Register for the CT Food Business Lab here.
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