The Common Loaf

A Neighborhood Kitchen & Food Business Incubator

Where community rises together.

Common Loaf is a shared commercial kitchen and gathering space located in the heart of the neighborhood.

Here, neighbor-entrepreneurs get the tools and support to build thriving businesses — and the community gains access to fresh, healthy, locally-made food, right where they live, made by the people they know.

What We Are Building

Small Business Incubator

A supportive space for neighbors who want to start or grow small food businesses.

We help remove one of the biggest barriers to starting a food business: access to a certified commercial kitchen.

Entrepreneurs receive:

shared commercial equipment and storage
access to limited retail shelf space
guidance on pricing, permitting, certification, and basic business steps
informal mentorship and a welcoming environment to test ideas

The focus is on steady, practical support — not speed or scale.

Fresh, Local Food Options

Our neighborhood space offers a small selection of locally prepared items, including:

grab-and-go meals
fresh-baked goods
simple, affordable daily staples
locally made packaged foods

Everything is produced by local cooks and small vendors working in the Common Loaf kitchen.

Improving Local Food Access

Some Austin neighborhoods lack nearby options for fresh and healthy food.

The Common Loaf helps bring more choices closer to home by providing walkable access to locally prepared meals and ingredients.

When fresh options are limited, small neighborhood kitchens like this can make a meaningful difference.

A Place to Gather

The Common Loaf is a welcoming neighborhood spot where people can:

share meals
work or relax
meet neighbors
enjoy a friendly, community-centered environment

It’s a small but meaningful space for connection.

Supporting Local Producers

Purchases made at the Common Loaf help support the local cooks, food makers, and small suppliers who prepare and source the ingredients.

When residents buy from neighborhood producers, more of the benefit remains within the community.

Hands-On Learning & Skill Building

The Common Loaf offers opportunities for neighbors to gain practical kitchen experience.

With guidance on certifications, operations, and food preparation, participants can explore:

kitchen workflows
food safety practices
early-stage entrepreneurship
managing a shared kitchen space

These skills can support future job opportunities or help residents take first steps toward small food businesses.

Transparency & Accountability

We take a straightforward approach to transparency.

Budgets, project plans, and reporting will be openly shared with funders and community partners, and we maintain clear documentation of how resources are used.

We also work with a local nonprofit partner to provide light community guidance and ensure the project stays aligned with neighborhood priorities.

This simple structure keeps the project organized, accountable, and easy to understand.

A Neighborhood Identity

The Common Loaf highlights local food makers and reflects the creativity of the surrounding community.

It’s a small but meaningful space that adds character to the neighborhood and supports the people who make it unique.

What's Next For Common Loaf

We are currently:

Finalizing a pilot location

Building a Network of Local Food Entrepreneurs

Seeking aligned partners for startup capital and neighborhood programming.

The Common Loaf

A Neighborhood Kitchen & Food Business Incubator

Where community rises together.