Welcome to AFIC@MCO!
With affordable shared-use commercial kitchens and food processing and bottling capabilities, we help small businesses grow their food ventures.
The Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks (AFIC@MCO) is a 45,000-square-foot food processing facility located in Springdale, Arkansas. We support local food entrepreneurs with a range of services, including a shared-use commercial kitchen, food processing and bottling capabilities, and educational workshops. We offer technical support, business development assistance, and resources to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. AFIC@MCO fosters innovation and economic growth and reduces hurdles for small food businesses in Northwest Arkansas.
by AFIC@MCO
A Celebration of Local Flavors, Culinary Growth, and Community Connections
The Savor the Ozarks Dinner Series is a culinary journey honoring the Ozarks’ seasons, food traditions, and local agriculture. Each dinner showcases the best ingredients of the season while giving emerging chefs and food business owners from the AFIC@MCO shared-use kitchen an opportunity to:
- Refine their craft
- Collaborate with celebrated local and national chefs
- Build sustainable pathways to grow their businesses
These memorable dining experiences not only highlight the vibrant flavors and culinary talents of Northwest Arkansas but also raise vital funds for the AFIC@MCO Scholarship Program, supporting the next generation of food entrepreneurs and strengthening our region’s local food economy.
24/7 Scheduling
Shared-Use Kitchen
- 24/7 scheduling.
- Affordable, high-volume, rentable kitchen for food trucks, caterers, and food entrepreneurs.
- Rental storage space (dry, refrigerated & frozen).
- Personalized guidance on kitchen equipment.
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Affordable
& Low-Minimums
Food Contract Processing
- Competitively priced food processing and bottling services.
- Creation of nutrition labels, product testing, and more.
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Affordable
& Low-Minimums
Learn about our AFIC@MCO Scholarship Program!
Technical Support and Programming
- Training/workshops on Arkansas new business registration and food safety certifications.
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NWA GLEAN
- Reduce food loss by utilizing less desirable produce.
- Help address food insecurity across Northwest Arkansas by turning gleaned produce into meals for food donation.
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Community Partnership
- Support feeding activities through partnerships with commercial operations and schools.
- R&D support in the shared-use kitchen community partners.
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