Foodies in the Monadnock region area will have another option shortly, as a new eatery with a mission beyond serving food prepares to open its doors.

Frankly Delicious is taking shape just south of the Routes 101 and 202 intersection in Peterborough, but the people involved in the enterprise are no strangers to the area.

“We had an art exhibition here in June that was very well attended,” said Annabella Schwabe from her office on Grove Street. Perfect Peace, the nonprofit organization behind the project that seeks “to provide a new level of service to adults with disabilities,” according to its website, perfectpeaceincnh.org, has been around here since 1989. Frankly Delicious is part of Perfect Place’s day program, and in Schwabe’s words, it will create “a different kind of workplace environment.”

Perfect Peace acquired the site in January, and much of the space is still being converted for culinary purposes. Arrayed on the wide pine board floor of the dining and serving areas are bar stools and and a beverage cooler, next to which a worker with a power drill was working on a brick fireplace for renovation. Perfect Peace initially focused on providing residential solutions for individuals in the region with disabilities at two homes in Jaffrey, which eventually expanded to sites in Temple and Swanzey.

Clients of Perfect Peace are individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Frankly Delicious is intended to provide socialization and activities, creative opportunities and job training.

“People we work with are often pigeonholed for specific kinds of work,” Schwabe said.

Furthermore, she said, “It’s important to think of each of our clients as a person first – a person who happens to have a disability, not as a disabled person. People are more than a line on a medical sheet." On Thursday, Schwabe added, “Perfect Peace believes everybody has something to offer. Everybody has the ability to add value to the workforce.”

Individuals with disabilities can often be paid less than standard wages for their efforts, Schwabe said. 

“It’s disheartening to see people working for $3 an hour,” Schwabe said.

Such endeavors are called piece-work, where individuals are paid for each item or device they assemble in a workshop.

“We’ll actually be paying above minimum wage,” Schwabe said. “People will be matched with the jobs that they are comfortable doing.” 

At least two area business have already begun working with Perfect Peace. Aesop’s Tables in Depot Square arranged with the group to handle its recycling after a firm tasked with the endeavor did not work out.

“They’ve been wonderful,” said Mary Jo Allen, owner of Aesop’s Tables. “Without them, it would be overflowing.”

Foggy Hill Farm in Jaffrey has also partnered with the group, which has helped with harvesting produce. One goal of Frankly Delicious, Schwabe said, is to source its food locally once it opens for business. 

Schwabe’s mother Laurie Schwabe will be overseeing food preparation as a job coach to clients. The menu is a work in progress.

“We’re workshopping a lot of recipes,” Annabella said. “Expect a big emphasis on ‘homemade,’ and innovating toppings (for franks) rotating sides, sauerkraut and unique pairings.”

An artistic dimension to the operation is also taking shape. Paintings and other hangings involving textiles adorn walls throughout the building, and individuals work in a room off from the kitchen on more creations. The operation is aiming for an early November opening.

“There’s not a business like this with this message in the area,” Annabella Schwabe said. “All people des  erve a dignified existence.”