When you hear the word “incubator,” it may not bring to mind images of innovative food businesses developing tasty treats in a Dorchester warehouse. But that’s exactly what CommonWealth Kitchen is – headquarters for local culinary start-ups.

Since we first aired this segment in August of 2017, CommonWealth Kitchen opened The Dining Car, a brick and mortar takeout window in Kendall Square. The Dining Car features members of the incubation community on a rotating basis to give aspiring food business professionals a chance to test their menus and experience running a physical business.

Guests:

Jen Faigel - Executive director of CommonWealth Kitchen in Dorchester

Cassandria Campbell - Owner of Fresh Food Generation

Celeste Croxton-Tate - Owner of Lyndigo Spice

Later in the show…

This month state public safety officials launched an informational campaign focused on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, weed or other drugs. It’s the first driving safety campaign since recreational marijuana became legal in Massachusetts. It’s accompanied by an increased police effort to enforce impaired driving rules on the road this holiday season.

But substance abuse isn’t the only danger to keep in mind while traveling to and from home during the holidays. About 1 in 4 car accidents in the US is caused by texting and driving. And currently there is no law in Massachusetts requiring the use of hands-free cell phone technology while driving.

In July we spoke with Alyson Lowell, who lost her 20-year-old daughter Gabriella in June when a driver took his eyes off the road to glance at his phone. But in the midst of her grief she chose to speak before the state’s lawmakers, in favor of legislation which would require drivers to use hands free technology for their cell phones. Similar laws are already in place in 16 other states. But as it stands, a bill requiring hands-free devices while driving is stuck in the House Ways and Means committee.

Guests:

Emily Stein - President of Safe Roads Alliance

Alyson Lowell - Mother of Gabriella Lowell, who was killed by a driver looking at his cell phone

ENCORE: CommonWealth Kitchen Helps Food Businesses Cook Up Success 57:59 Share

Under the Radar Podcast

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ENCORE: CommonWealth Kitchen Helps Food Businesses Cook Up Success