Explosion Shut Down 70 LI Small Businesses

On August 10, 2022, an explosion occurred in one of the large walk-in ovens at the Stonybrook University Food Incubator in Calverton. The facility that houses over 70 food producers' operations was shut down.

Stonybrook University ( SBU), Suffolk County Government, State & County Representatives, and the Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers (SCAC) are working to reopen this site and find temporary locations for the producers to resume their operations. Over 75% of the businesses are Women Minority Business Enterprises ( WMBE).

The SBU incubator program has been in operation for over 12 years and has provided entrepreneurs an opportunity to build their businesses at this food coop facility.

Many producers invest their dreams and even life savings in their businesses. There is an economic loss of over 600k to date. (9/10/22). Also sustaining losses are the producer’s families, employees, suppliers, local farmers, customers, and consumers, in addition to the loss of sales tax revenues.

This “Go Fund Me “ page is established to assist the producers in their rising financial burdens while trying to slow their economic losses. One hundred percent ( 100% ) of the funds will be turned over to the food producers to help with their operations and stop-gap losses.

While we realize that these donations are helpful and needed, we ask for assistance from the private and corporate sectors and philanthropists.

Please visit the following website for a list of Incubator businesses:

https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/1-calverton/index.php

In addition to the ask for financial donations, the producers can also use donated food ingredients. Please get in touch with us at [email redacted] for specific information.

We hope “Strong Island” can again come together to help with these needed donations. THANK YOU!