FOOD BIZ WEEK 2025
FOR FOOD & FARM BUSINESSES ACROSS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
GROWING CONNECTIONS FOR FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES
Food Biz Week is a curated experience for food and farm business owners in Washington and Oregon to learn, connect, and grow.
Food Biz Week 2025 has ended. If you missed the Founder's Stories, check out the recorded interviews.
VIRTUAL EVENT SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
KICKOFF TO INNOVATION
Started the week with inspiring stories from food and farm entrepreneurs who turned bold ideas into thriving businesses.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
FUEL YOUR MIDWEEK MOTIVATION
Fuel your passion with fresh insights from entrepreneurs overcoming challenges and finding success.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
FINAL STORIES + IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS
Ended the week with two powerful interviews and in person networking at 21 Acres Kitchen.
IN-PERSON NETWORKING
NETWORKING EVENT at 21 ACRES
Fellow business owners, resource partners, and industry professionals gathered in an engaging, in-person setting to connect and explore opportunities. Attendees sampled incubator client products and learned about the 21 Acres Kitchen Incubator program.
MEET THE VOICES BEHIND THE STORIES
Yes Ma! Backyard Farm
Adfia Bristol
YES MA! Backyard Farm is a Black-owned, women-led small family farm located in Pierce County, Washington. Dedicated to sustainable farming practices, the farm grows over 50 varieties of culturally relevant crops and specializes in creating Caribbean-inspired value-added products such as Traditional Guyanese-style Hot Pepper Sauce, Roselle Achaar, and Onion Jams infused with the bold flavors of habanero and hibiscus roselle. By bringing unique and authentic flavors to the Pacific Northwest, YES MA! is diversifying the regional food market while fostering a sense of belonging and pride within underserved communities.
Howl at the Spoon
Melanie Jenkinson
Howl at the Spoon crafts chef-inspired, plant-based sauces in perfectly portioned packs that eliminate food waste and add vibrant flavor to any meal. With all-natural ingredients and no refined sugar or preservatives, our sauces make healthy eating simple, delicious, and convenient—just rip, tip, and drip your way to amazing flavor.
Estelle Bakery
Rachel Rossi
Estelle was founded by two sisters experimenting with gluten-free ingredients after both being diagnosed with Celiac disease. They quickly learned that texture and taste did not have to be sacrificed and that they could create goods that were as delicious as or better than their glutenous relatives. Since then, they have expanded their repertoire and catered parties and weddings. In 2017, they bought and outfitted their own food truck— a dedicated gluten-free kitchen space— and provided products for events and special orders all over Portland.
Lucky Crow Farm
Eden Olsen
Lucky Crow Farm grows vegetables for two farmers’ markets, a CSA program, their local food pantry and restaurants in town. They manage 3 acres of vegetables on their family farm in Monmouth and two urban farm sites. Their urban farms operate in Olsen Communities neighborhoods at Edwards Addition in Monmouth and another at Fairview Addition in Salem.
Marination
Kamala Saxton
It started with a food truck, some exquisite marinades, and a lotta love. In 2009, fresh off a big market crash, Marination owners Kamala and Roz decided on a new kind of investment: running their own business. Big Blue took to the streets in June, with smiles for miles and a unique Hawaiian-Korean fusion cuisine in tow. Millions of tacos and thousands of malasadas later, Marination has grown to three restaurant locations and a spot in T-Mobile Park.
The Creamy Crow
Sónia Viera
The Creamy Crow specializes in authentic, made from scratch Portuguese custard tarts (pastéis de nata) created in Lisbon before the 18th century. Their mission is to bring to this part of the Pacific Northwest a taste of these sweet, flaky and creamy custard tarts that are full of history and flavor. Sourcing ingredients from local farms and markets such as flour, eggs, milk and fruits allow them to create not only the traditional Portuguese pastel de nata but also different variants such as raspberry, apple spice, blueberry, or coconut.
2025 Food Biz Week Event Sponsors
