Resources for Local Food Businesses in Texas
Starting a Business
Giving you the tools to step into a new chapter, with expert resources and tips.
Starting a Business in Texas
Texas is an excellent place to turn innovative ideas into big business goals. The Lone Star State is home to 2.7 million small companies, and on the corporate side, boasts 54 Fortune 500 corporations, making it a haven for large-scale companies too.
Starting a Ghost Kitchen
A ghost kitchen can be a super profitable business, both on its own or as a valuable addition to an existing restaurant. Across the US, ghost kitchens are becoming more and more common in the restaurant sector, as they allow for easy food delivery, whether you operate a sit-down restaurant as well or not.
Starting a Food Truck
Starting a mobile food truck business is a lot of fun and, if you do it right, financially rewarding too. With the current increases in rent prices and more and more people enjoying “experimental” food spots, setting up a food truck may well be a worthwhile entrepreneurial pursuit in the present economic climate.
Emergency Relief
Information on available grants, funding, and relief programs to help you get through the difficult times
Texas Feeding Texas
Agricultural Loan Guarantee Program (ALG) provides financial assistance to establish or enhance farming or ranching operations or to establish an agricultural-related business. This program provides assistance in the form of guarantees based on a tiered structure, not to exceed $500,000 or 80% of the loan amount, whichever is less.
Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) assists agricultural agencies or departments in eligible states and territories to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in insecure communities through small-scale gardening, herding, livestock raising, and more.
Young Farmer Grant
The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of dollar-for-dollar matching grant funds to young agricultural producers that are engaged or will be engaged in creating or expanding an agricultural business in Texas.
Find Financing
The necessary part of running a successful business - check out the resources below to learn more
USDA Local Food Promotion Program
The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
JAB Holding Company Investments
JAB is a unique investment partnership between JAB Holding Company as an evergreen investor and creator of global leading investment platforms and JCP as a strategic co-investor. With almost 200 years of heritage, JAB invests in consumer goods and services and is focused on long-term value creation.
Central Texas Farm Credit
Central Texas Farm Credit knows how important the next generation of farmers and ranchers is to the future of agriculture. Our goal is to help you develop the fundamental business skills needed to be successful. We are committed to helping you get back to the farm, and understand that financing is just one piece to the puzzle.
Business Services
Need a consultant? Looking for soil or water testing? Specialized farm services? We have them collated for you
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a unique education agency with a statewide network of professional educators, trained volunteers, and county offices.
For over 100 years, the agency has improved lives across Texas by delivering innovative science-based solutions and education at the intersection of health, agriculture and environment in communities across the state.
Rodale Institute
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival.
ASAC - American Society of Agricultural Consultants
The American Society of Agriculture Consultants (ASAC) is a non-profit organization whose members represent a diverse range of disciplines in the agriculture industry. ASAC's membership is comprised primarily of experienced consultants boasting a wide array of expertise.Their business models range from sole proprietorships to leadership roles in larger, multi-consultant organizations covering a wide geographical area.
Educational Resources
From the latest articles and best books to information on higher education programs, if you need more knowledge, then this is the right section
Agrilife Learn
The online learning platform of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. It provides online courses, certificates, and professional development opportunities for agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences professionals, volunteers, and enthusiasts. You can find courses on topics such as horticulture, food safety, and animal health.
Udemy Courses
With hundreds of online courses, you can pick whatever subject matter piques your interest and learn from the comfort of your own home. From accounting software to farming methods, there’s something for everyone on Udemy. All you need is a few bucks and a couple of hours and you can master anything!
Cornell Small Farms Program
The Cornell Small Farms Program offers a suite of more than 30 online courses, primarily taught by Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, to help farmers improve their technical and business skills.
Interactive 5 to 8-week courses connect you to the information and people you need to start a successful farm business or diversify your farm
Tools and Suppliers
Need the right equipment or suppliers to take your business to the next level? We’ve taken taken the effort of listing them out for you here.
American Canning
We started American Canning for one reason – to provide craft consumers greater access to the beverages they love most. Our equipment, supplies and mobile canning services break down barriers to packaging with low minimum quantities, affordable pricing, quick lead times and easy online ordering.
Berlin Packaging
Large scale and broad scope delivers low-cost and flexibility. We contract out manufacturing to 900+ suppliers worldwide. With 20+ years of global sourcing experience and 200+ experts dedicated to procurement and operations, we effectively have unlimited capacity, and aren’t handcuffed to specific technology or equipment or tools.
Restaurant Depot LLC
Restaurant Depot is a Wholesale Cash & Carry Foodservice Supplier. Our mission is to be your one-stop shop for Savings, Selection and Service, Seven Days a Week.
We have been supplying independent food businesses with quality products from large cash and carry warehouse stores since 1990.
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