La Casa de Amistad receives $267,000 grant from South Bend’s Redevelopment Commission for new commercial shared-use kitchen

Monday, July 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM

La Casa de Amistad is excited to announce it has been awarded a $267,000 grant from the City of South Bend’s Redevelopment Commission, through their Pokagon Fund, to support the completion of its new commissary kitchen.

Juan Constantino, CEO of La Casa de Amistad

“Thanks to the City of South Bend’s Redevelopment Commission, through their Pokagon Fund, La Casa de Amistad was awarded a $267,000 grant to complete the renovation and build out of a commissary kitchen. We’d also like to thank the Department of Community Investment and their team for supporting and advocating for our project.”

A commissary kitchen is a shared-use, commercial kitchen facility that can be rented by members of the public including local entrepreneurs, caterers, food truck operators, and small food businesses. This space will enable them to prepare food in a professional environment that meets commercial health and sanitation standards, which is required to sell food legally.

La Casa’s new commissary kitchen will feature professional-grade work tables, prep sinks, freezers, refrigerators, three-compartment sinks, commercial ovens, and commercial ranges, providing users with the necessary equipment to safely and efficiently produce food for sale.

The commissary kitchen will promote economic opportunity for small-scale, food-based entrepreneurs in our community.

Renovations are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025. Details about the grand opening event to be shared closer to that time.