September 26, 2012 | Local Food Lab

News Release – PALO ALTO, CA. Silicon Valley’s first food and farm startup accelerator has announced its Fall 2012 class. Over 50 startups vied for only twelve slots in the program. Entrepreneurs were selected based on a competitive application process. Startups from around the country were chosen both for their business potential and for their dedication to disrupting the conventional food system through sustainable and environmentally conscious business practices.

THE FALL 2012 STARTUP ACCELERATOR COHORT

Brunched in the Face is a brunch-themed food truck that will provide wholesome and savory cuisine without the pretense and price generally associated with brunch.

Chef Surfing is the best way to hire a local chef. Chef Surfing matches your desires with custom proposals made by chefs just for you.

CoFED, the Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive, empowers communities of students to create financially sustainable campus hubs for food and social justice activism.

The American Pantry is a multi-media content-driven on-line marketplace of American foods from artisans, farmers and foragers around the country.

Panther Ridge is a family farm devoted to growing high-quality organic produce utilizing cooperative business models to inspire and implement solutions to local food sovereignty.

Traditional Family Foods provides healthy, fresh, on-the-go, local, and seasonal packaged lunches, and snacks for children.

Hungry Globetrotter Inc. is a gourmet food club that is developing international meals, which busy professionals and families can make at home.

LifeBites are delicious chocolate-covered energy snacks made from traditional South African peanut and corn recipe.

Seeducate helps our youngest develop confidence, awareness, and love for scientific discovery by working on an urban farm close to home.

Beverly R is a producer of healthy healing foods with the intent to create understanding about a wholesome sustainable food system.

Real Good Food is a food-sharing platform that allows you to discover, share and enjoy the best food in your community.

Valley Girls Foodstuffs is dedicated to handcrafted, small-batch cookery that preserves old school tastiness by teaching at-risk teens cooking & business skills.

Local Food Lab will offer the twelve selected startups a rigorous six-week educational program in entrepreneurship as well as access to seasoned food and farm industry mentors. The program will culminate in a Demo Event on Wednesday, November 14 where entrepreneurs will present their startups in front of industry investors and advisors. The entire program will take place in a beautiful shared-use space complete with a test kitchen, open-plan workspaces and lush garden areas.

To request an invitation to our Investor Demo Event on Wednesday, November 14 in Palo Alto visit www.localfoodlab.com.

Krysia Zajonc and Mateo Aguilar founded Local Food Lab in response to the many difficulties facing early stage food and farm startups. Local Food Lab supports entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into thriving, sustainable ventures. For more information visit www.localfoodlab.com.