Meeting Sprouts Idea of Growing Artisanal Food

COURT HOUSE – Cape May County leaders are engaged in meetings with business leaders seeking to further the growth of entrepreneurs in the areas of artisanal foods and farming.
According to a release, the first meeting involved Curtis Bashaw of Cape Resorts Group, Barbara Wilde and Hamilton Wilde of Willow Creek Winery, and Cape May County Freeholders Jeffrey Pierson and Will Morey.
The idea originated from Bashaw who reached out to the freeholders with the idea of furthering a commitment to these industries which would help tourism, job growth, and bring in new business entrepreneurs.
The meeting took on several ideas, including the potential of a food-related incubator. A discussion took place about the culinary kitchen at Atlantic Cape Community College being a potential landing spot for such an idea.
“One of the jobs of being an elected official is listening to the community especially when they have a good idea,” stated Pierson. “A lot of good dialogue came out of this meeting and we are excited to explore the next steps.”
The next goal will be to create a committee and create a vision statement.
Several partners would be brought in including the county Agriculture Committee, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Atlantic Cape Community College, the county Health Department, and Cape May County Technical High School.
It is anticipated that the next meeting would take place after the summer.