Resources for Farmers, Producers, and Food Business Owners
The following resources, webinars, and guides were developed for food and farm businesses as part of the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center. Though USDA Regional Food Business Centers program has ended, these resources will remain freely available.
To continue working towards transformational food systems change, many of the original partners are collaborating through the Great Lakes Partnership for Food and Farm Development. Learn more about this partnership here,
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Wholesale Produce Guide Template for Buyers
Published on November 25, 2025
Developed by the NWI Food Council, this Wholesale Produce Guide Template can help wholesale buyers simplify the steps of grading and packing as a way to support farmer success. -
Marketing Resource Suite for Food and Farm Businesses
Published on November 24, 2025
Having a consistent and recognizable brand is essential for any business. The following resources provide templates and guides for food and farm businesses to make creative, consistent marketing materials for social media, websites, newsletters, and more. -
Michigan Farmer Market Vendor Journey Map and Recorded Presentation
Published on September 12, 2025
The Michigan Farmers Market Vendor Journey Map is a free, step-by-step guide for new farmers and food producers. It covers licensing, marketing, display tips, and prep essentials to help you succeed at your first farmers market -
Food Hub Receiving Process Checklist and Template
Published on September 12, 2025
Good quality product begins at the receiving door. This short video and templated document provide food hubs with a checklist of items to consider as they build out their internal receiving processes. -
Tribal Food Producer Information Session: Requirements of Packaged Food Products – September 10, 2025
Published on September 10, 2025
This Tribal Food Producer Info session hosted by the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition and the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center discussed available resources pertaining to the requirements of packaging and marketing food products.
Per the USDA announcement on July 15, 2025, the Regional Food Business Centers program was terminated, prior to its original end date of July 2028. Because of this, the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center halted operations on September 15, 2025 and was unable to responsibly launch the Business Builder Subaward and assistance programs. Please see our related press release. Resources intended to help food and farm businesses will remain freely available on this website and additional resources can be found at foodsystems.msu.edu/resources.
Support for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center came from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Business Centers Program. The 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers supported all 50 U.S. States and Territories, and were inclusive of all types of agricultural products produced locally or regionally.
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