The Kitchen Lab

Where Farming Meets Local Food Entrepreneurship

At the heart of our mission is a space for growth. The Kitchen Lab located in Gilbertsville, PA is our professional-grade, value-add facility designed specifically for small-scale food entrepreneurs throughout Southeastern PA. It’s here that the local harvest is transformed into local retail goods.

We bridge the gap between the field and the market by providing makers with the tools to innovate, test, and scale their recipes. Whether you are preserving the season’s bounty or launching a new prepared food brand, our Kitchen Lab located in Montgomery County, PA offers the infrastructure needed to turn raw ingredients into community staples.

bunches of kale and collard greens
bunches of orange carrots
yellow Icon to represent The Best Route's Kitchen Lab program

Kitchen Lab Hub

Looking for a fully licensed commercial workspace in Montgomery County? We provide the professional infrastructure you need to grow. Our facility offers flexible booking options, allowing caterers, bakers, and food producers to rent high-quality kitchen space by the hour or block. Skip the construction costs and focus on what you do best—creating great food in a compliant, health-department-approved environment.

Kitchen Lab FAQ

  • We welcome a wide range of local food entrepreneurs! While the kitchen is situated to support the growers at Tomorrow’s Homestead, it is also available for rent by other local farmers, value-added producers, and small-scale caterers. Our goal is to provide the infrastructure small businesses need to scale their operations and bring more local products to market

  • Our licensed processing kitchen is designed to support the specific needs of growers and food entrepreneurs. The space is fully equipped with washing and processing stations, as well as cold-storage capabilities. It is an ideal space for creating value-added products (like sauces, jams, or pre-cut veggies) or for caterers needing a compliant prep space.

  • Yes! In addition to our main processing lab, we offer a fully equipped Kitchen Trailer that serves as an extension of our workspace. This separate unit features a commercial stove, oven, and additional prep area, making it the perfect solution for bakers, caterers, or producers creating cooked value-added products (like hot sauces, soups, or baked goods).