In partnership with Vicuña Corp., the Catering Services Program aimed to provide participants with tailored support to strengthen their operations and scale their businesses. The capacity building sessions focused on project management, cost control, and process organization. Entrepreneurs piloted new products—including frozen foods—and improved hygiene practices and inventory management.
The program also supported their formalization journey, guiding them to close gaps to obtain health permits. The mentoring program delivered was aligned with Argentina’s Good Manufacturing Practices and included strategies to optimize cost structures and profit margins. This comprehensive approach helped local catering businesses become more efficient, organized, and ready to access new markets.
Griselda Castillo, head of Luly’s Bakery and the main provider for her family, is one of the program’s success stories. During her journey in the program, she learned to manage her time, lead a team, and embrace collaboration. Delegating tasks was a challenge at first, but she soon saw the benefits of building a strong team—now five people support her growing business.
Through training and mentorship, she implemented food safety techniques, created recipes for frozen products, and improved her production processes to become more efficient. During peak tourist seasons, she produces 1,500 to 2,000 units of the well-known semita bread for mining camps, hostels, and lodgings.
“I started selling bread from a small kiosk. Today, when I look back, I feel emotional about everything I’ve achieved. One of the most meaningful milestones in my journey was seeing my business receiving the permits from the Ministry of Health to operate across the country.”
