Register today for the Food Business Basics Program

The Economic Opportunity & Development Division of CDD is partnering with Prepshift to lead the six courses and one optional ServSafe exam training.  The course will cover such topics as:

• Picking a product or menu focus
• Developing a plan for your product or menu
• Learning about finances and how to organize bills
• Hiring employees or getting help
• Marketing and telling the story of the business

Graduates from Food Business Basics will leave with:

• A personal checklist of “to-do” items.
• A network of new friends who are also trying to open a food business.
• A better idea of where to find resources for their business.
• A chance to take a free ServSafe exam.

Residents who are interested should complete the online application. Deadline to apply is February 20, 2026. Space is limited. City staff may follow up with more questions by email or by phone. Residents can also schedule a 15-minute meeting with Prepshift to learn more before applying.

The course will start in late March or early April 2026 with exact dates scheduled soon.

The Food Business Basics course is the newest resource in the CDD Food Business Incubator Program, a collection of low-, or no-cost, opportunities to help Cambridge food entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their business. The Food Business Incubator Program includes the Cambridge Food Truck Program, resources related to the Cottage Food Operations Permit, and specialty workshops.

Prepshift makes restaurants work for everyone by empowering operators to grow their businesses sustainably. Their comprehensive coaching and technical assistance offerings leverage first-hand experience, financial education, and proven management best practices to help teams achieve their goals. They deliver content through workshops, staff training, boot camps, and 1:1 consulting engagements in English and Spanish.

For more information on this program, please contact Christina DiLisio at cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4601.