HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Leeward Community College has a small business incubation program in Wahiawa aimed to promote food innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship in the islands.
Chris Bailey, manager of the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC), and Janee Gutierrez, owner of Madres Churros, joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the program and an upcoming free showcase on April 30 of its current Aina to Makeke cohort graduates.
Leeward Community College’s WVAPDC marks its one-year anniversary, and Bailey said it’s helped more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, farmers and students through hands-on workshops, webinars and programs.
This Wednesday, 15 businesses will showcase their products at a free event that is open to buyers and retailers from 4-5 p.m. and the general public from 5-7 p.m. RSVP to [email protected].
One of the graduating companies is Madres Churros, founded by Janee Gutierrez, who was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance and decided to make her own gluten-free and vegan churros.
Her signature churros are made from a blend of poi, gluten free flour and other plant-based ingredients.
“I missed churros so much that I decided to make my own,” Gutierrez said. “We started out at farmerʻs markets but are growing and growing thanks to the support of the Wahiawa Center and the Aina to Makeke program and our loyal customers.”
For information on WVAPDC, visit leeward.hawaii.edu/wvapdc.
For information on Madres Churros, follow on Instagram @madreschurros.
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