Breaking Barriers: Key Takeaways from the Inaugural SPICE Conference for Women Entrepreneurs in Food Business
Last week marked the successful launch of the first SPICE Conference, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in the food industry. The event brought together over 140 attendees for a day filled with dynamic discussions, informative presentations, interactive workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities.
The Specialized Program for Cooking Entrepreneurship (SPICE) has experienced remarkable growth and recognition over the past year, and we remain committed to supporting women as they navigate their food business journeys.
Reflecting on the conference, SPICE program and conference lead Natalie Frederick-Wilson shared, “The conference was a dream realized and a mission accomplished. Since the inception of the first SPICE cohort, we received an overwhelming number of applicants, with many continuing to express interest in future cohorts. It became clear that we needed to create a platform to serve both current and aspiring food entrepreneurs, and I envisioned a conference as the solution. Seeing it come to life has been incredibly rewarding.”
She added, “For me, the day was one of encouragement. I witnessed how our vision, with the support of and our ecosystem partners, event supporters and SPICE sponsors, put attendees on a path to success.”
When asked about the key takeaways for participants, Frederick-Wilson emphasized the importance of connection. “Many attendees were underrepresented women, immigrants, refugees, and individuals from rural areas. While many have begun their food ventures, few were aware of how to navigate regulatory requirements such as food safety, inspections, or business registration. The conference served as a vital connector, bringing together individuals with the resources they need. We provided a comprehensive resource binder for each attendee, which will serve as a reference as they build their businesses. It was inspiring to witness uncertainty transform into confidence as participants identified their next steps.”
Frederick-Wilson expressed her gratitude for the strong turnout and engagement, noting, “We had a packed room, and many women shared that the SPICE Conference was precisely what they needed. The energy was palpable, and the engagement from our tradeshow hosts was exceptional. It was particularly meaningful to have the support of Joel Dickinson, President of MSVU, and Susan Trenholm, Dean of Professional Studies and Graduate Studies, who have been steadfast allies of SPICE.”
Continuing her acknowledgment of key conference supporters, Frederick-Wilson adds, “We are so grateful to the sponsors of the event for their invaluable support CUA, Farm Credit Canada, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board, and Wholesale Club. Their contributions have been instrumental in realizing our vision, and we appreciate their commitment to strengthening the food entrepreneurship community.
The conference addressed critical gaps in the food ecosystem across Atlantic Canada. Frederick-Wilson highlighted the importance of removing barriers: “Many women operate from unregulated kitchens because they are unaware of food safety regulations and how to establish their businesses. While business navigators exist, many potential entrepreneurs do not know they can access these resources. The SPICE Conference filled this gap, providing a crucial network and guidance that has previously been lacking.”
The inaugural SPICE Conference proved to be a significant milestone, fostering a supportive community of food entrepreneurs while equipping them with essential resources, connections, and confidence to succeed. As we continue to expand the SPICE program, our commitment to dismantling barriers for any woman starting or growing a food business, and particularly our support for underrepresented food business owners across Atlantic Canada remains strong. This conference marks just the beginning, and we anticipate its lasting impact on the lives and businesses of our attendees.