Membership with the Cumberland Culinary Center is open to Tennessee-based farmers, specialty food producers and suppliers. In order to rent space in the commercial kitchen, farmers must supply proof of liability insurance and be listed on the Pick Tennessee Products (
www.picktnproducts.org) website. Organic farmers must supply proof of liability insurance and a
National Organic Program (NOP) Certificate. Specialty food producers who want to use the kitchen rental services must provide documentation in the following areas: proof of liability insurance, and at least one person from the company must be certified in Food Safety training from an accredited agency such as the Tennessee Department of Agriculture or the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Farmers may use the kitchen rental services for the preparation of produce for market readiness. This service is open to both organic (as defined by the NOP) and non-organic farming operations.
Companies will be allowed to rent the kitchen facilities for an hourly rate and will be supervised by the Cumberland Culinary Center Kitchen Manager, Mr. John Cook. The companies will be given the option to provide their own labor or be given the option to sub-contract labor from the Center. Companies may handle their own procurement and bring raw materials to the Center, or they will be given the option to contract with the Center to coordinate procurement activities. Other consulting services will also be available (see below).