Raising Dough

Elizabeth Ü, founder and executive director of Finance for Food, believes that food-based businesses can solve our social and environmental problems. However, most food entrepreneurs say lack of access to capital prevents them from launching or growing their ventures.

In her book, “Raising Dough: The Complete Guide to Financing a Socially Responsible Food Business,” Ü has written an unprecedented guide to the financing options available to support sustainable food businesses. Originally published by Chelsea Green Publishing in June 2013, it is now available through a variety of channels.

“I was frustrated that no good resource existed that outlined the capital options available for food businesses — including pros, cons, criteria, and sources — and so I decided to write the book myself!” said Ü.

“Raising Dough” offers insights into the world of finance for entrepreneurs. It includes descriptions of the various capital options available such as traditional debt and equity, government grant and loan programs and crowd-funding. It also gives the reader recommendations for choosing which capital options are the most appropriate given the size, stage, entity type, growth plans, mission and values of an enterprise; testimonials highlighting the experiences of food system entrepreneurs who have been there before (including both success stories and cautionary tales) and referrals to sources of capital, financiers, investor networks and other financial resources.

Ü likens food-based businesses to a farmer’s market – the entrepreneurs in search of funds to finance their ventures are the customers, those providing capital are the vendors, and the various financial tools are the fruits and vegetables available for sale.

“Just like at a farmer’s market, customers shop with a variety of needs in mind, and each vendor offers a unique combination of wares … and many of the differences are invisible.” Ü reminds the reader that one cannot answer the question “which type of apple is best?” until there’s a plan in place. “Once you have finally identified the ‘right’ financial tools, it’s entirely possible that you won’t be able to find a capital provider or investor that is willing to accept your terms, or the financing option you like best may not be legal in your situation … much the same way that certain apple varieties are not always in season, or might not grow locally.”

Although “Raising Dough” was written primarily for those managing values-based food businesses, social entrepreneurs and investors in any market sector will find value in the tools and resources in this book.

KARA MARZIALI is the director of communications at the Jewish Alliance.