The Market Entry Fund

Hello from St. Paul! We are The Market Entry Fund (TMEF), a nonprofit on a mission to advance a more local, inclusive, and impactful food economy.

WHO WE SUPPORT

We uplift Minnesota's emerging entrepreneurs in packaged food production and manufacturing. From granola bars to hot sauce, frozen meals to seasoning blends, and coffee to baking mixes, we support the food producers behind the products. These producers are typically underrepresented on grocery shelves, including first-generation entrepreneurs, women, people of color, veterans, and others who face barriers to creating thriving small businesses.

HOW WE SUPPORT

1) Funding: We provide small grants to food businesses to help remove an immediate challenge they face.

2) Retail Shelf Space: Through community retail (co-retail), founders can launch their food products at our grocery store social enterprise and receive 100% of the sales proceeds.

3) Business Support: We connect food businesses to other nonprofits and experts so they may leverage needed resources and services to thrive well beyond us.

Your donation will directly support these programs for food producers, which will ultimately go back to you when you shop at local grocery stores!

Please visit our website to donate to The Market Entry Fund. Thank you for supporting Minnesota's local food economy and small businesses!

Looking for another way to support local food businesses? Check out our selection of curated gift boxes that feature products from Minnesota producers.