Food Entrepreneurs Find Mentorship at TCS Foods Commissary Kitchen

August 16, 2021 | Vanessa Skyrmes

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Food Entrepreneurs Find Mentorship at TCS Foods Commissary Kitchen

What do the TCS Food Commissary Kitchen and two of Brevard County’s most popular farmers markets have in common? All are operated by Karen and Tim Shea, who saw a need and launched a plan to help local food entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and reach.

When the financial landscape of 2008 challenged many Americans, especially business owners, the Sheas were faced with having to reinvent themselves. The couple with decades of experience in the food industry had found success with gourmet cheese spreads and were fortunate to get them sold through BJs Wholesale Club.

“We were doing farmers markets and meeting others that also did food, but they didn’t know anything about the laws so we found ourselves educating people and that’s how the TCS Foods Commissary Kitchen concept and kitchen began,” Karen Shea said.

“The commissary was born out of the need for a small local food business and we were willing and able to assist, consult, share and educate. The markets were born out of the need for small food businesses to get their product out into the community."

Now, the Sheas support multiple food operators and food trucks, from a little spice with Captain Tony’s Pirate Salsa to something sweet with A & D Hives local honey. And the local business owners are grateful.

“This is how it all started five years ago,” said Tony Tuck, owner of Captain Tony’s Pirate Salsa. “They were very knowledgeable and helped me in the process. I use the kitchen to prepare the salsa and store them and then sell it to other stores.”

The TSC Foods Commissary Kitchen in Suntree is a small-business consulting company and a professional fully inspected kitchen space allowing for food production while meeting all state regulations.

“Any small business from food trucks, caterers, bakers and much more have found an array of resources as part of the Foods Commissary Kitchen,” Karen said.

Char and Oak LLC is a good example of how it works.

“The kitchen at TCS Foods provides a comfortable, clean, professional environment where I can make my spices,” said Tim Donald, owner of Char and Oak LLC. “My raw products are stored on site allowing me to access what I need to fulfill every recipe. The separate kitchen bays allow me to work in a private environment where the aromatic discharge from the spice grinder does not bother anyone else. I can measure, mix, grind, and bottle every one of my products right on site.”

For many food entrepreneurs, having a location to do all the prep work is a vital ingredient in their recipe.

“In order to sell honey wholesale, you need to have your commercial license and we also wanted to expand in order to sell to bakeries and produce markets,” said Andy Harell, owner of A&D Hives. “That was the primary reason we became a part of this kitchen.”

Once the food entrepreneurs are ready to produce and sell their goods, the Sheas come in and help those like Harell with the business side of such an operation.

“Part of being a member of the kitchen is getting resources from us such as food safety, food management, certifications, liability insurance, state food permits through the Department of Agriculture or through the Department of Business and Professional regulations,” Karen said.

Taking it a step further, the Sheas created marketplaces for their kitchen members to sell their goods. They launched the Downtown Melbourne Farmers Market at Riverview Park over a decade ago and the Viera Park Market two years ago.

“We have a ton of local fresh food in both of our markets,” Karen said.

Farmers markets

The markets feature local specialty foods, food trucks, artisans, crafters, plants and produce.

Downtown Melbourne Farmers Market

Riverview Park

2301 Irwin St., Melbourne

Facebook: facebook.com/Downtown-Melbourne-Farmers-Market-at-Riverview-Park-297894340260585

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

October-May: every Saturday

June-September: first and third Saturday of the month

Viera Park Market

2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera