Food Ecosystem Field Trip

Food Ecosystem Field Trip - a full afternoon of connection, conversation, and community

Join other food system leaders, businesses, and partners in envisioning the future of the region’s scene - à la cuisine. Enjoy a three-stop tour across Richmond from 12:00 - 4:00pm followed by a happy hour with small business support organizations and fellow food enthusiasts. Lunch and refreshments are on us so pull up a chair. This event is part of the 1717 Collective's work to strengthen the small business ecosystem across the Greater Richmond Region.

Organizers: Heather Lyne, Jill Donaldson, Sara Santa Cruz

Venue Hosts: Brambly Park, Sen Organic - Small Plate, Sarah Garland Jones Center & Cafe

Transportation: Discover Richmond Tours, RVA Brew Crew. Meet at Brambly Park at 11:45am. Transportation will be provided from there.

RESERVE your space ASAP due to limited capacity but definitely by May 23rd.

Questions and food allergies or concerns to Heather at aGx5bmUgfCAxNzE3Y29sbGVjdGl2ZSAhIG9yZw==

Who is the 1717 Collective?

The “1717 Collective” is a group of Richmond-based nonprofits who support small businesses and founders: Bridging Virginia, the Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC), The JWC Foundation, Lighthouse Labs, the Metropolitan Business League (MBL), Startup Virginia, the Women's Business Center of Central Virginia, and LISC Virginia through the Capital Access Hub. We have convened monthly at the 1717 Michael Wassmer Center for Innovation since February of 2023 to create more efficient referral process and become a better-informed group of practitioners.

Despite an abundance of entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) and resources in the region, community members often voice confusion or a lack of awareness around accessing them, and even resort to bootstrapping their business - alone. In October 2024, we launched the region's first–ever “main street” focused ecosystem initiative to make it easier for small businesses to find their people, fund their operations, and build their network.

We love our neighbors and neighborhoods and want ideas and businesses to prosper here – which is why we are committed to fostering deep and positive relationships with stakeholders and entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) across Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond. Together, we believe it is possible to a) offer more visible, welcoming, and smooth navigation experiences to business owners at every stage in their journey and b) increase on-ramps and pathways to the support ecosystem and economic mobility – with special attention to communities of color and women, who see chronic underinvestment locally and nationally.

Our small businesses and communities depend on relationships and knowledge-sharing, which is why we are championing a bigger table and asking to pull up a chair at yours.

“The essence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem is its people and the culture of trust and collaboration that allows them to interact successfully. An ecosystem that allows for the fast flow of talent, information, and resources helps entrepreneurs quickly find what they need at each stage of growth. As a result, the whole is greater than the sum of its separate parts. - Kauffman Foundation Playbook

Also check out other Business events in Richmond, Food & Drink events in Richmond.