Border Queen Community Kitchen Opens in Caldwell, Pressure Canning Classes Set to Begin

CALDWELL — A new shared commercial kitchen designed to support local food entrepreneurs officially opened in Caldwell during Saturday's "Stroll the Streets" event, offering makers and small business owners an affordable space to grow their ventures.

The Border Queen Community Kitchen launched through a partnership between Kansas Farm Bureau, the K-State 105 Initiative, NetWork Kansas, Border Queen Harvest Hub, Sumner County Economic Development and K-State Research & Extension – Sumner County.

Located in downtown Caldwell, the facility provides entrepreneurs, food producers and bakers access to commercial-grade equipment and workspace without the significant upfront costs of building their own kitchens from scratch.

Since opening, the kitchen has hosted several successful uses, according to the Sumner County Economic Development Commission, proving it serves as more than just a facility — it functions as a community hub for innovation and connection.

The kitchen's first formal class series begins Nov. 1 with a four-session course on pressure canning, the only safe method for preserving low-acid foods like vegetables, meats and soups at home. Border Queen Harvest Hub will host the hands-on sessions at the commercial kitchen.

The beginner-friendly course meets Nov. 1 and 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, and Nov. 6 and 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. The full four-session series costs $55.