Artwork for podcast Spotlight Podcast
Adrienne Akers Turned a Closet Into a Restaurant (And Now Feeds Downtown Kokomo)
Episode 820th July 2026 • Spotlight Podcast • Tim Branyan
00:00:00 00:39:51

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Adrienne Akers , owner of the Radish Market and Cafe, shares her unlikely journey from kindergarten teacher to farmers market manager to restaurant owner, explaining how a health department ruling forced her tiny local-food store to accidentally become a full-fledged cafe. She digs into her "real food for all" philosophy, the true cost and red tape of running a local food business, and her dream of eventually bringing affordable fresh food to underserved neighborhoods via a mobile market or food truck.

00:00 Intro & Meet Adrienne Akers

01:53 From Kindergarten Teacher to Farmers Market Board

04:41Why Radish Filled a Need in Kokomo

08:52 Sponsor: Community First Bank

10:17 Becoming a Restaurant: Health Dept Forces a Pivot

13:13 The Cafe Becomes the Real Engine

15:50 Learning to Cook Later in Life

19:00 Building a Monthly Menu From Scratch

21:47 Real Food for All: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free

23:13 Defining "Local": Sourcing Within 100 Miles

27:05 Becoming an Accidental Entrepreneur

30:17 The Kindergarten Fruit Grant That Changed Everything

34:15 Barriers: The Real Cost of Starting a Food Business

40:36 Future Dreams: Food Trucks, Bloomington & Staying Focused

45:10 Why Fresh & Local Is Worth the Extra 50 Cents

48:12 Where to Find Radish & Wrap-Up

Stay Connected:

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/

Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana

Visit:

https://www.radishmarketcafe.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theradishmarket/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

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