Insights from Our Food Business Workshop with Eagle County Public Health

At Eagle Valley Community Foundation, we believe that when local businesses grow, our whole community thrives. That’s why we were proud to partner with Eagle County Public Health to host a hands-on Food Business Workshop designed specifically for small business owners, home cooks, and aspiring entrepreneurs in our valley.

This interactive session brought together Elevar entrepreneurs, new food business owners, and community members eager to learn the fundamentals of operating a safe, compliant, and thriving food enterprise. With guidance from Eagle County Public Health experts, participants explored key topics such as:

• How to navigate retail food licensing and permitting
• Best practices for food safety and contamination prevention
• Requirements for cottage food operations
• Understanding inspection processes and timelines
• Resources available for entrepreneurs starting or expanding a food business

What made the workshop especially meaningful was the dialogue—participants asked real questions, shared challenges unique to bilingual and immigrant-owned businesses, and gained clarity on processes that often feel intimidating or inaccessible. The Public Health team brought practical, approachable expertise, breaking down regulations in a way that honored the lived realities of our local entrepreneurs.

Many attendees walked away feeling more prepared, more confident, and more equipped to move their business ideas forward. For Elevar participants, this workshop is one more step in building a supportive ecosystem for local entrepreneurs—one grounded in trusted relationships, culturally relevant guidance, and opportunities that meet people where they are.

We’re grateful to Eagle County Public Health for their partnership, and to every aspiring food entrepreneur who showed up ready to learn, ask questions, and invest in their business dreams.

Together, we’re building a stronger, safer, and more vibrant food economy—one delicious idea at a time.

If you’re interested in future workshops or want to learn more about Elevar’s support for local businesses, stay tuned for upcoming opportunities!