ABOUT


The MN Food Vendor: Business Development Program is a community-led effort to help street food entrepreneurs in Minneapolis turn their passion into a fully licensed business. Sponsored by the City of Minneapolis, this program is led by Healthy Roots Institute, in partnership with The Real Minneapolis, and Impact Now Consulting.

Together, we recognized a need: too many talented food vendors in our communities were being held back by unclear regulations, lack of support, and limited access to training. We decided to change that. We guide participants through each step—licensing, food safety, business development—with care, clarity, and hands-on support.

Our team includes long-time food entrepreneurs, small business leaders, compliance experts, and community connectors who understand what it takes to get a business off the ground. We’re not just teaching vendors how to navigate the system—we’re walking with them every step of the way.

This program is for the dreamers, the doers, and the folks already feeding our neighborhoods from parking lots, pop-ups, and home kitchens. It’s time to bring those businesses into the spotlight—and into compliance.

Meet the team

This program is led by a collaborative team of community-rooted leaders who bring both lived experience and professional expertise to the work. Chef Lachelle Cunningham of Healthy Roots Institute leads the program with a focus on culturally grounded food education and entrepreneurial empowerment. Valerie Quintana of The Real Minneapolis guides our outreach and community engagement strategy, ensuring that the program remains accessible and inclusive. Caitlin Barnhart of Impact Now Consulting supports overall program design, compliance, and coordination. Together, we’re committed to walking alongside local vendors—not just providing information, but building trust, removing barriers, and celebrating what’s already working in our communities.