ETC Produce + Provisions

Over the years, ETC Produce & Provisions has become a mainstay at Findlay Market. Toncia and Estevan Chavez own a farm and would peddle their local produce every weekend at the Farmers Market. They became Members at Findlay Kitchen to expand their storage and prep space, and started dreaming about becoming a year-round Merchant at Findlay Market. 

In August of 2019, they were granted a scholarship from Findlay Kitchen which allowed them to nail down their proof of concept and make their dream a reality. “When we started, we had this idea of what ETC was going to be, but we really didn't know how it was going to come into fruition,” Tonica says. “And the scholarship helped us figure out what we wanted to be and how we wanted to be better for the market.”

Five years later, ETC is still a one-stop shop for fresh, local produce and an array of local artisan groceries, including products from nearly a dozen fellow Findlay Kitchen Members. It’s important to Toncia to give others the opportunities she was given at the beginning of her business. “It is my pleasure, and in my humility that I get to do that for other people,” she says.

It’s not uncommon for small businesses to experience difficulties in the first few months of operation. Even with Findlay Kitchen’s wraparound support, many businesses still struggle to get off the ground because starting a business is just that hard. Scholarships like these can lower common barriers entrepreneurs face at the outset of their business. Help more business owners like Toncia realize their dreams by donating to the Findlay Kitchen Scholarship Fund.