What started as a small effort to donate bread to local food pantries has grown into a larger vision aimed at helping aspiring food entrepreneurs take their first steps in the industry.
Heather Horton, owner of TOAST in downtown Pittsburg, is developing a shared commercial kitchen incubator designed to make starting a food business more accessible for community members.
TOAST has long partnered with organizations such as the Girard Food Pantry and the Pittsburg Wesley House through its “Spread the Loaf” program, which provides donated loaves of bread to those in need. As demand increased, Horton said expanding production and improving long-term sustainability became a priority.
“We knew we wanted to grow the program and make it more sustainable,” Horton said. “To do that, we needed equipment that would allow us to produce more bread at once and keep up with the demand.”
The expansion was supported in part by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, which helped fund equipment purchases, milling capabilities and the development of an incubator-style kitchen. The project also reflects TOAST’s commitment to strengthening local food systems, with approximately 80% of ingredients sourced from Kansas growers and producers.
“We’re very intentional about keeping things local,” Horton said. “When we support local farmer and producers, they support our business, and the whole community benefits.”
The shared kitchen will serve multiple purposes. In addition to being used for TOAST’s own production, the space will be available for rent to the public, allowing individuals to prepare food legally, test recipes, and explore selling at farmers markets or other venues.
Horton said the incubator will also function as a learning space, offering guidance and resources for individuals who may be new to the food business.
“We’ve been doing this for about two decades, and we’ve learned a lot,” she said. “We want to share that knowledge and help people who are interested in starting something of their own.”
To support new entrepreneurs beyond the kitchen, Horton encourages collaboration with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University, which provides assistance with business planning, taxes, payroll, and other operational requirements.
“They’re really good at helping with the important but sometimes overwhelming parts of running a business,” Horton said. “That support makes a big difference, especially when you’re just getting started.”
The project is nearing completion, with final installation and inspection of the kitchen hood system underway. The facility is already licensed and inspected for production through the state of Kansas, with city inspections expected once the remaining equipment is installed.
Although delays in equipment delivery pushed the timeline slightly behind schedule, Horton said she hopes to begin welcoming community members once final approvals are complete.
Reflecting on her own experience, Horton said having access to a shared commercial kitchen earlier in her career would have made the process easier.
“I worked out of my stepdad’s farm kitchen and a friend’s kitchen when I was getting started,” she said. “You do what you have to do, but something like this would have helped.”
Her advice to aspiring food entrepreneurs remains simple.
“Just start,” Horton said. “Start feeding people, listen to feedback and take it one step at a time.”
Horton said she hopes the incubator will serve as both a practical resource and a source of encouragement for those interested in beginning their food business journey, while continuing TOAST’s long-standing commitment to the local community.