Examination of Economic and Community Development Opportunities Resulting from the Creation of a Community Kitchen

The Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development (OED) was contracted by the City of Roanoke’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Freedom First Credit Union to evaluate community and economic development opportunities surrounding the creation of a community kitchen that would reside in the former Villa Sorrento restaurant facility located at 1223 Patterson Ave, SW. The initial request from the clients focused on exploring models for how a community kitchen may help to precipitate entrepreneurship and business development activities within the market study area. Identification of promising strategies for how this community kitchen may concurrently support neighborhood revitalization efforts, educational and workforce training initiatives, efforts to alleviate food insecurity, and promote the local foods movement were also noted as desirable outcomes of this report.