so, what is the Commissary?

A Shared Commercial Kitchen & Food Business Incubator

The Commissary, the region’s first food business incubator and only shared kitchen permitted in Monroe County, is a social entrepreneurship enterprise aimed at facilitating the creation of new food business ownership opportunities for members of our community. The Commissary is designed to increase success rates for new food industry entrepreneurs by reducing startup barriers and offering development support services. The Commissary fills a much-needed gap in the greater Rochester market, encouraging aspiring food business owners to legitimize and accelerate their concepts.

Our facility offers 14 production kitchen stations, a full line of commercial grade kitchen equipment, along with cooled and ambient storage, available for use by Commissary members on an as-needed, pay as you go, hourly basis. Our kitchens and services accommodate food truck operators, caterers, bakers, virtual restaurateurs, home-based food businesses looking to legalize, and startup packaged food manufacturers. Membership also includes access to ongoing business development and food industry specific incubation services designed to reduce start-up risks and build capacity for long-term success.

The Commissary first opened in October 2020, in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when many individuals became unemployed, and the restaurant industry was turned upside-down. Our turnkey, low-risk operation allows individuals affected by unemployment to launch their own businesses; also allowing existing restaurateurs to pivot their business models and re-launch.

A place to EAT! One location, many businesses.

In addition to providing shared commercial kitchens and business resources to local entrepreneurs, The Commissary is a place where the community can come to EAT! Some of our members offer lunch and dinner service, pick-up and takeout, and hold special ticketed events. One facility, many businesses - stop by our pick-up window to try some of the best food Rochester has to offer! From Puerto Rican food to gluten-free baked goods, we think you’ll find something to enjoy. Please check out our individual member businesses and our Instagram to see when they are in service.