After the abrupt closing of Pilotworks in October 2018, Andre Springer of Shaquanda Will Feed You joined Hot Bread Kitchen’s Incubator in Spring of 2019. Springer’s “drag queen hot sauce” is an expression of his identity as a queer Barbadian New Yorker. He is a very active member of the community and has made great strides in his business, including developing three new products and being featured in numerous food publications. In just one year, his company has experienced ten-fold growth in revenue.
Springer has participated in several Access to Market opportunities, such as Artists & Fleas (a weekend pop up market in Brooklyn) and Hot Bread Kitchen’s spring and fall Buyer’s Showcases. At the showcases he connected with buyers from several grocery store chains, including Whole Foods Market; his hot sauces will be available in Whole Foods across New York City later this year. In June 2019, he was featured at Hot Bread Kitchen’s booth at the Summer Fancy Food Show. This allowed Springer to showcase his brand to buyers from across the nation and solidify relationships, including one with a cookbook publisher.
