Fresh Plate - Fresh Start for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

The Fresh Plate – Fresh Start program of the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) is a community-driven project that will train formerly incarcerated clients so that they can commence careers in the local food industry: restaurants, manufacturers and retailers in need of skilled staff.  The components of the program will include basic training in obtaining food safety certificates, advanced culinary training as required and assistance with internships and job placement. The QEDC will partner with local organizations that support the formerly incarcerated including Fortune Society, Hour Children, and Witness to Mass Incarceration. An important aspect will be the development of a jobs portal connecting restaurant and food business with employment listings for program participants. Supervised by a Program Manager, it will also utilize the resources of our current programs including instructors and counselors. Training and classes would take place at the Entrepreneur Space, Queens’ only non-profit commercial kitchen incubator. Learning alongside small food businesses will provide real-life experience. Clients will be offered internships with food businesses that utilize the facility. Working with our Neighborhood Development Division that provides assistance to local restaurants, we will engage them to be part of the of the portal for those seeking jobs in the industry.
    We expect to serve 100 clients.