In response to a challenge issued by Alice Waters, Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) sought to create a delicious, satisfying, and financially successful café that supported its programmatic message to “Eat a Rainbow Every Day.” However, after 25 years of foodservice losses, both CDM’s executives and board were concerned that it would be impossible to run a café that offered delicious, healthy food – and made money doing so.
For the project’s first phase, KK&P led the board and administration in envisioning a different, more thoughtful, and robust foodservice experience at CDM. Each option was grounded in detailed business models. Discussion about these different options enabled all stakeholders to align on future direction and fundraising goals.
In the second phase, KK&P helped the CDM team execute the vision of creating a space where children and their families engage with, learn about, and enjoy fresh, healthy, tasty food. Our work included: assisting with development of a new brand identity, FoodShed, which speaks directly to the café’s mission and philosophy; articulating Foodshed’s values and goals; identifying and overseeing a talented team of architects, designers, contractors and suppliers; and successfully collaborating with all partners to open the café on time and within budget.
In its first full month, FoodShed far surpassed sales projections, setting the stage for future success and programmatic expansion.