Tacoma small business owner Abby Woods has increased production for her Caribbean food business, Trini Plate, with the help of a Small Business Grant through WorkForce Central.

Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Abby started Trini Plate in 2022 because she was craving her cultural food and couldn’t find it after moving to Tacoma. The grant was used to purchase new equipment and make critical upgrades to her existing equipment for her farmer’s market booth and kitchen.

“Much of the food I make is very labor-intensive, and I’ve struggled with burnout and injury as a result,” Abby said. “With the new equipment and upgrades, I’ve been able to increase efficiency and production and also reduce burnout not just for myself but for my team.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to improve my service and offerings and share even more delicious Caribbean food with the community. I’m thrilled to be able to invest in my people, offer better wages in the future, and keep pushing the boundaries of what I can offer my customers.”

Thank you to the Washington State Department of Commerce for partnering with Local Workforce Boards on this initiative that supports small businesses and provides opportunities for them to grow.