Resource Guide
Looking for help growing a food business or working in the food industry? Use this guide to connect with the right resources.
Step 1: Select your goal.
Step 2: Click on the category that matches your needs.
Step 3: Read through the results and choose a local organization to help you.
Step 4: Call, email, or visit the organization for assistance.
Results
African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest
The mission of ACCPNW is to promote an environment of direct trade and business prosperity between Africa and the Northwest United States. ACCPNW provides also free business seminars to local minority business owners.
City of Auburn
The City of Auburn can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Burien
The City of Burien can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Federal Way
The City of Federal Way can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Kent
The City of Kent can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Renton
The City of Renton can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of SeaTac
The City of SeaTac can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Tacoma
The City of Tacoma can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
City of Tukwila
The City of Tukwila can provide entrepreneurs with permits and licensing for business development.
Green River College PTAC
PTAC works to give businesses the opportunity to thrive in the government-contracting marketplace.
Highline College – Small Business Development Center
The SBDC at Highline specializes in providing business and training services to entrepreneurs and existing businesses in order to be successful in today’s economy.
Impact Washington
Impact Washington is a non-profit organization specializing in manufacturing consulting services for Washington manufacturers.
Market Share
MarketShare is a nonprofit building a permanent street food market in Seattle that incubates immigrant and refugee-owned startup restaurant businesses.
NAI-Puget Sound Properties
NAI Puget Sound Properties is a multi-discipline commercial brokerage and advisory services firm that specializes in the leasing and sales of office, industrial and retail properties as well as investment sales of all product types, including multi-family.
Pinchot University – Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
CIE's vision is that through entrepreneurship and community wealth building strategies, participants in our programs are empowered to build resilient, sustainable, and equitably shared community wealth.
Rainier Valley Community Development Fund
The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund was created to assist business along the MLK corridor weather the inevitable disruptions from construction of Seattle’s new light rail line. We continue to spur economic development in the Rainier Valley by offering technical assistance and loans with flexible terms and affordable interest rates.
Restaurant Success
The City of Seattle, King County, State of Washington and the restaurant community are working together to improve the regulatory experience of starting and operating restaurants in Seattle. This guide clarifies the city, county, state, and federal requirements you’ll face as you prepare for your first customers.
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most diverse business association in the region. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization representing 2,200 companies and a regional workforce of approximately 700,000.
Seattle Pacific University – Center for Applied Learning
Seattle Pacific University’s Center for Applied Learning has built strong ties to the Puget Sound business community. Its Mentor, Service Learning, Internship, and Entrepreneurship programs each provide a unique opportunity for both graduate and undergraduate students to put faith into practical action within the business world.
Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center
U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.
Seattle University – Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
At the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center we build and nourish the entrepreneurial spirit. That means linking students with the business community.
Self-Employment Assistance Program
SEAP is a unique opportunity for you to enter into self-employment entrepreneurial training and receive business counseling while you collect unemployment benefits.
Social Venture Partners Seattle
Seeks to develop philanthropy and volunteerism to achieve positive social change in the Puget Sound region. Offers grants, portfolios, partner opportunities,
StartZone/Highline
StartZone believes in providing reality-based, individualized services to put members on the path to owning a business that can grow and be profitable.
Two Rivers CDC – Native PTAC
Native Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Native PTAC) is a free, grant funded, community resource that assists Native peoples in contracting with state, local, Federal, and Native governments within AK, ID, OR, and WA.
U.S. Department of Commerce – Minority Business Development Center Agency
MBDA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that helps to create and sustain U.S. jobs by promoting the growth and global competitiveness of businesses owned and operated by minority entrepreneurs.
University of Washington Center for Entrepreneurship
Founded in 1991, the Buerk Center offers an exceptional curriculum, real-world experiences, and connections to the Seattle entrepreneurial community to inspire students from all majors and disciplines across campus to pursue their entrepreneurial passions.
University of Washington Consulting and Business Development Center
Through the center’s programs, students build skills and gain experience in consulting and solving business challenges. The students provide valuable consulting to small businesses and non-profit organizations in underserved communities. Business owners and non-profit leaders gain access to business education that creates jobs and changes lives.
Ventures
Ventures Food Business Incubator Program empowers individuals with limited resources and unlimited potential to improve their lives through small business ownership.
Veterans Business Outreach Center
VBOC is committed to providing training and financing opportunities to entrepreneurs from the U.S. Military community. In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, VBOC equips veteran and active duty service members and their families with the resources to successfully start and run their businesses.
Washington Small Business Development Center (Everett)
SBDCs have been helping Washington businesses achieve their full potential for more than 30 years through expert business advice, comprehensive research, and reliable assessments.
Washington Small Business Development Center (Seattle)
The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) is a network of business advisors, trainers, and support staff who operate from Washington State University, Western Washington University, several of the state’s community and technical colleges, and selected economic development agencies.
Washington Small Business Development Center (South Seattle)
The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) is a network of business advisors, trainers, and support staff who operate from Washington State University, Western Washington University, several of the state’s community and technical colleges, and selected economic development agencies.
Washington State Department of Commerce
We are the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. We administer a diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and several state boards and commissions, all focused on achieving one clear and simple mission: to grow and improve jobs in Washington.
Washington State Microenterprise Association
The Washington State Microenterprise Association’s mission is to strengthen economic development systems that support the growth of strong and effective Microenterprise Development Organizations.
Washington Women’s Business Center
The Washington Women's Business Center offers business counseling, technical assistance, and training on a wide variety of topics.
White Center Chamber of Commerce
White Center Chamber of Commernce was created to unify and advance the interests of the White Center business community, in a manner that leverages and attracts investment, makes White Center businesses more profitable, expands Chamber membership to be more representative of our ethnic diversity, protects the long-term economic and community viability of the entire White Center area, promotes the public safety, and makes White Center a more livable place to shop and to raise a family.