Cascade Community Markets advances plans for Leavenworth commissary kitchen

LEAVENWORTH — Cascade Community Markets is moving closer to opening a commissary kitchen in Leavenworth, which would offer a commercially licensed rental for chefs, caterers, farmers, food processors, bakers, food trucks, and ghost kitchens.

Most recently, Cascade Community Markets received its first kitchen sponsorship from the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. The organization was also awarded a $61,800 grant from the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Infrastructure Equipment Plus Program, which will fund the installation of a hood and range this spring.

“Getting that hood vent installed is critical. So we're moving along as fast as we can with that thanks to our WSDA grant that we received, and we're very eager to have it in,” said Cali Osborne, Executive Director of Cascade Community Markets.

The organization acquired the space near the end of 2025, with plans to open the commissary kitchen this June. The kitchen will be available to bakers and cooks making ready-to-eat food for the farmers market, caterers and food truck owners who need prep space, or farmers wanting to process their goods. According to Osborne, having a space to process and preserve products provides an opportunity to generate off-season income, which is critical for local farmers limited by a short growing season.

“In particular, we are excited to support local agriculture through this. It is at the heart of our mission,” said Osborne. “There's a lot that can be preserved, but they need a certified space to do it.”

Cascade Community Markets plans to rent the kitchen for around $25 an hour, with discounts for high frequency use, vendors of the Farmers Markets, nonprofits, and farms. It will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

“These grant investments are ensuring food business entrepreneurs remain engines for innovation, growth and sustainability in Washington’s vibrant local food economy,” said WSDA Director Derek Sandison. “The high demand for Regional Markets programs is a testament to the continued need for this scale of investment in our local food system.”

WSDA awarded a total of $3.4 million in program grants, with award amounts ranging from $13,019 to $75,000. Cascade Community Markets is one of 82 total award recipients across 31 counties, 10 of which are located in Chelan County. These recipients’ projects will enhance food safety, increase food processing efficiency, expand food distribution capacity and promote the availability of Washington grown, caught and raised foods.

The Leavenworth Commissary Kitchen will have a dishwasher station, walk-in cooler, range and ovens, and other small equipment. The nonprofit is currently seeking a variety of used equipment to outfit the kitchen. Its “wishlist” can be found at cascademarkets.org/kitchen.

Those interested in using the kitchen can sign up for the mailing list on the organization’s website. All users will be required to secure insurance prior to using the kitchen. For anything other than personal use, the organization will also require a business license and health department approval.

Cascade Community Markets plans to host an open house for interested kitchen users on March 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 10225 County Shop Road. The event will offer an opportunity for prospective users to check out the space, learn how it will work, share what equipment should be added and help the organization choose a name for the kitchen.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media