The Background
Big Apple Sauce, founded by Emmett Esnard, is dedicated to crafting healthy, sustainably produced hot sauces made entirely with ingredients sourced from local food producers he proudly calls his neighbors. Having grown up in the foster care system, Emmett’s mission extends beyond food. He is committed to raising funds to support children in foster care and the community organizations that serve them. Emmett had a vision and passion, but lacked the initial resources and business expertise to get it off the ground. The Food Business Technical Assistance Training Program provided the initial guidance and training on launching a food business, with an opportunity for funding to take it from concept to action.
Our Response
Esnard was one of 44 food entrepreneurs who participated in the 2025 Food Business Technical Assistance Training Program. Held virtually on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 P.M., the 10-week program guided participants through the process of bringing a food product to market. Led by Shiva Kittusamy, a partner with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Small Business Development Center (SBDC) through the Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC), the Program provided comprehensive training and resources.
Our Impact
For Emmett Esnard, founder of Big Apple Sauce, the training program and grant funding provided a lifeline at the most vulnerable stage of his business. “I am a small business just getting started. And while my potential is huge, we are still at a very vulnerable stage.” Emmett emphasized. “This is make-it or break-it for me. The grant funding attached to this course is absolutely vital to me. My business cannot get out of the gate without it.”
With a solid plan and strong community ties already in place, the support he received from SDBC and the SWRFBC were key in that crucial first step toward bringing his locally-sourced hot sauce to market. “We’ve already done the hard work: we are building business relationships, we have a detailed business plan encompassing the first 3 years of business, an included budget, and every step from here to then mapped out in detail. What we need right now is the funding to take that first step.” Emmett said.