Growing Second-Stage Food Business in Rhode Island Report

Nathan Bonds, Senior Project Manager at Polaris MEP, was asked to participate on the advisory board at Commerce Rhode Island regarding food strategy and how to define Tier 2 food companies. For example, how can we provide resources to improve business if we do not have clear, defining language determining what is a Tier 2 food company?

That is where Nathan started: who are these companies, what are their struggles, what are the resources necessary for their success? Each time he walked into a business he kept his eyes open to what equipment could be useful or which processes needed to be streamlined. Sometimes he recognized the need for additional employees. It is this sort of information that helps define a Tier 2 food company.

Having spent years working with food companies, including Hope & Main, these needs were apparent to Nathan. His years of experience were not only going to provide crucial information to help Rhode Island-based food manufacturers, but also the industry as a whole.

The Food Strategy report helps fill in any blanks so that as a state and as a company we can help by meeting food manufacturers’ needs and allowing them to grow economically.

If you are interested in learning more about the Food Strategy Report, click here.