NEVADA CITY, Calif. — Nevada County’s local food economy is quietly thriving—and on Saturday, September 26, Sierra Commons will bring it into the spotlight. FoodX, a new food expo at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City, will celebrate the entrepreneurs, makers, and businesses shaping the Sierra Foothills food economy while creating new opportunities to connect with buyers, funders, and the community. Sierra Commons is now recruiting vendors, sponsors, and community partners to participate in the inaugural event.
The event advances Sierra Commons’ longstanding commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening local economies throughout Northern California. For nearly two decades, Sierra Commons has helped founders launch businesses, develop new products, build networks, and access the resources needed to grow.
“Food entrepreneurs are some of the most courageous and passionate artisans you’ll ever encounter,” said Robert Trent, Executive Director of Sierra Commons. “Despite almost insurmountable barriers, our region’s food businesses are making their mark. FoodX is a celebration of their success and a peek into where the Sierra Foothills food culture is headed.”
Designed as both a community event and a business development opportunity, FoodX will feature food sampling, product sales, educational programming, demonstrations, networking opportunities, and direct connections between food entrepreneurs and potential buyers.
The event is expected to attract more than 500 attendees, including food enthusiasts, grocery retailers, restaurant buyers, distributors, institutional purchasers, media representatives, funders, and economic development leaders.
Sierra Commons’ food programming has helped cultivate a growing network of food entrepreneurs throughout the region while attracting founders, mentors, and guest speakers from some of California’s most innovative food businesses. Past contributors have included leaders from Numi Tea, Nana Joes Granola, Floof Cotton Candy, and Kitchen Collab Truckee.
“One of the greatest strengths of the Sierra Commons community is the willingness of experienced entrepreneurs to share what they’ve learned with the next generation of food founders,” said Mani Niall, Lead Instructor and Advisor for Sierra Commons’ Food Entrepreneur Program.
That spirit of collaboration has helped support a vibrant community of regional food businesses, including participants and graduates of Sierra Commons’ Food Entrepreneur Program, such as Petra Modern Mediterranean, Heartwood Eatery, Hola! Tortilla, Comedor, Hachidori Cooking, The Ham Stand, and Zea Mays Botanicals.
Outer Heaven Espresso, for example, participated in the Sierra Commons Food Accelerator while developing new growth opportunities beyond its café business. Through the program, co-founder Wendy Hawkins refined plans for a packaged cold brew product designed for wholesale distribution and explored the launch of a coffee subscription service, creating new pathways to reach customers beyond the local market.
FoodX was created to address some of the biggest challenges facing emerging food businesses: building meaningful connections with customers, buyers, and industry partners.
“Food entrepreneurs often spend so much time building their businesses that they rarely have an opportunity to step back and see themselves as part of something larger,” said Jade Benetatos from Petra Modern Mediterranean.
Expected attendees include buyers and representatives from organizations such as BriarPatch Food Co-op and California Organics, alongside funders, partners, and industry professionals interested in discovering emerging brands and local producers.
For many entrepreneurs, the event offers a rare opportunity to build visibility, gather consumer feedback, generate sales, and establish relationships that can support future growth.
FoodX will be featured as part of the inaugural Sierra Foothills Food Festival weekend produced by Sierra Harvest and in partnership with organizations committed to strengthening the Sierra Foothills food economy, including Valley Vision, Nevada County Economic Resource Council, Sierra Small Business Development Center, Dignity Health, and other regional partners.
“We are thrilled to feature Sierra Commons and its graduates at the new Sierra Foothills Food Festival this September. This event not only showcases our region’s exceptional culinary contributions to Northern California but also fosters vital community engagement with our local food system,” said Eli Bacon, Executive Director of Sierra Harvest.
Vendor applications are currently open to food makers, producers, and entrepreneurs from throughout the region. Approximately one quarter of vendor spaces will be reserved for Sierra Commons Food Entrepreneur Program graduates, with additional spaces available to curated regional food businesses and producers.
Named sponsorship opportunities are also available—providing visibility across event signage, digital platforms, printed materials, and event programming. Please contact Sierra Commons for additional details.
FoodX will take place Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Miners Foundry, located at 325 Spring Street in Nevada City.
For more information, vendor applications, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sierracommons.org/foodx.
About Sierra Commons
Sierra Commons is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurial communities and supporting small business development throughout Northern California. Through education, mentorship, accelerator programs, and business support services, Sierra Commons helps entrepreneurs launch, grow, and sustain successful businesses that contribute to thriving local economies. sierracommons.org