How to Join the Food Business Incubator
The Stony Brook University Food Business Incubator at Calverton provides commercial food-production space, storage and business resources for food entrepreneurs and growing food companies on Long Island. We have many different types of areas available including shared kitchen areas, dedicated storage, operations spaces and office space are available as companies grow to enable a lower risk pathway of scaling business, with the ultimate objective of outgrowing the facility and becoming sustainable on Long Island.
Participation in the Food Business Incubator is competitive. Companies are evaluated to determine whether their business, products and growth plans align with the mission and requirements of the incubator.
How to Apply
Interested in joining the Food Business Incubator? Start by completing our intake form.
Participation Requirements
All companies are required to enter into the following agreements:
- Revocable Access Permit Agreement with Stony Brook University that allows and governs company’s access the NY State facility and use its equipment.
- Stony Brook University Food Business Incubator Handbook agreement which identifies the policies, best practices and requirements of operating at the Incubator.
- Code of Conduct agreement which governs responsibility of company principals and team members to maintain appropriate and respectful conduct as a member of the food incubation community.
NOTE: Any companies utilizing dedicated operating rooms are required to sign a separate Permit Agreement that allows and governs the companies access and usage of the dedicated room.
Business Liability Insurance
All incoming companies must provide proof of business insurance with coverages that comply with the requirements set forth by the University.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance
All companies must provide documentation of appropriate Workers Comp insurance or exemption
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Article 20-C Food Processing Establishment License
Any and all product manufacturing within the Shared-use Kitchen is restricted to agencies or companies holding 20-C Licenses issued by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and producing food products covered under said 20-C License.
Any and all utilization of the Share-use Kitchen and its equipment is restricted to agencies or companies whose activities, if they were products, would be governed by a 20-C License. Issuance and maintenance of a 20-C license requires inspections by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets personnel, which companies are required to accommodate in a timely fashion to maintain facility access.
Non-20-C regulated products
Companies producing products outside 20-C regulations may be allowed, at the management’s
sole discretion, to operate independent of the Shared-use environment and within isolated,
dedicated space, if demonstrably within applicable regulatory compliance.
Companies must obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory licenses and certifications
HACCP plan
All companies must provide, or document exemption, an appropriate HACCP plan.
All companies must maintain a valid Food Manager’s Certificate from Suffolk County, NY and have an individual issued said Certificate present at the incubator while utilizing the production facilities.
Certificates from other NYS counties or comparable certifications may be honored, at the management’s sole discretion, but must be replaced with Suffolk County Certificates upon expiry.