Scott Budden, Orchard Point Oyster Co.
The graduates of the Spring 2023 Cureate Courses -- a free 10-week small business education program -- are coming together to host a stunning cocktail hour and five-course meal on Friday, April 21st at The Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis. At the end of the locally-sourced meal, two businesses will walk away with a $5,000 cash prize to grow their operations. Tickets are limited and are on sale now via Eventbrite: https://marylandspringfarmdinner.eventbrite.com.
“This culminating event is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy a fabulous evening and be part of a neighbor’s success story,” says Kim Bryden, CEO of Cureate. “Our goal at Cureate is to foster local and regional supply chain connections, which are on full display at this evening’s event.” Eighteen food and farm businesses were selected for Spring 2023 Cureate Courses. Specialty crop farmers and value-add producers from across Maryland learned best practices for marketing their farm and business. Catering and bakery businesses from Anne Arundel, Talbot, Kent, Queen Anne's and Wicomico counties received one-on-one coaching, food safety consultation, and participated in classes like “Establishing Your Unique Value Proposition,” and “Financial Management & Growth Opportunities.” The two cohorts (farmers, caterers/bakers) were paired together to come up with a locally-sourced dish for this five-course meal.
Cureate Courses is made possible by visionary leadership at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), Baltimore Community Lending, and Cureate. The vision: to build a more resilient, local, diverse supplier network of food & beverage businesses throughout the state of Maryland, generating economic impact in every community. This innovative yearlong program is executed by Cureate, with the support of and in collaboration with Baltimore Community Lending, through a grant from the University of Maryland Medical System, funder of the program.
“This partnership and program is just one of the many ways we hope to positively impact the diverse communities we serve and maintain at UMMS,” said Chuck Tildon, Vice President, External Affairs at University of Maryland Medical System.
“As an anchor institution in Anne Arundel County, it’s really important that we find new ways to collaborate with local entrepreneurs and drive economic development in the communities we serve,” said Diane Croghan, Vice President of Community Engagement and Chief of Staff at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center. “We’re excited to participate in this program and support these small businesses that aim to bring more job opportunities and access to fresh foods into our county. It’s a win for everyone.”
