Clarkson University Students Conduct Marketing Research for Harvest Kitchen

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A group of Clarkson University MBA students has completed a market research study on Harvest Kitchen, a certified commercial kitchen space supporting food entrepreneurs in St. Lawrence County. The project, led through Clarkson's MK696 Marketing Methods course, was designed to help Harvest Kitchen strengthen its outreach and better serve the needs of rural food businesses.

The research, conducted through in-depth interviews and online surveys identified what makes Harvest Kitchen a standout resource: affordable pricing, high-quality equipment, and supportive services that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. These findings reflect how Harvest Kitchen helps overcome common challenges like startup costs, regulatory barriers, and access to facilities.

The students' recommendations include adding FAQs, renter success stories, and more interactive features on digital platforms. Their goal is to help Harvest Kitchen connect with entrepreneurs at every stage-from planning to experienced operations-and reinforce its role as a community hub for local food innovation.

This Marketing Methods course gives students the opportunity to work with real companies while developing essential skills in defining research objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and collecting and analyzing data. The course culminates in both an oral presentation and a comprehensive written report, through which students present their findings and data-driven recommendations, providing organizations with actionable insights to support informed decision-making.