Yeah we’ve been tying this idea into our business model in the UK. @NickWeir has quite a bit of experience helping groups set up local food projects and I would like to further my experience in this.
I think case studies of different users and their models is a good starting point as a free service. Perhaps instances can ask users to complete a questionnaire (that automatically renders as a web page) as a requirement of using the service? No work, max results 
For a paid service I lean toward the idea of facilitated sessions in which experienced local food activists / facilitators meet with groups and help them to flesh out their ideas, motivations, inspirations into a fully fledged business model. I lean toward this as a) it helps strong groups to form with many people feeling ownership over the ideas and b) it is a creative process from which new innovations can arise.