Partners

The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center is comprised of four state partners and two regional partners. The state partners are the Chicago Food Policy Action Council of Illinois, the Northwest Indiana Food Council of Indiana, the Food Finance Institute of the University of Wisconsin System in Wisconsin, and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) in the state of Michigan. CRFS will also serve as a regional partner along with the Menominee Indian Tribe Department of Agriculture and Food Systems.

Regional Partners

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Menominee Indian Tribe Department of Agriculture and Food Systems

The mission of the Omaeqnomenewak (People of the Wild Rice) is to promote, protect, and preserve our rights, resources, and culture by utilizing responsible leadership and judicious exercise of our sovereign powers.

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (MSU CRFS)

The mission of MSU CRFS is to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

Contact: Gary Besaw or Dan Cornelius

Contact: Jamie Rahrig or Colleen Matts

State Partners

 

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Illinois 

Wisconsin 

Indiana

Michigan

Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC)

 

CFPAC co-develops, facilitates, advocates for, and supports implementation of policies that advance food justice and food sovereignty in Chicago and across the region.

 

Food Finance Institute at the University of Wisconsin System

 

The Food Finance Institute serves aspiring, new, and established businesses by connecting them to resources, information, and services that improve performance and increase capabilities for success.

NWI (Northwest Indiana) Food Council

 

The NWI Food Council cultivates a just, thriving, and regenerative food system for all in NW Indiana.

 

 

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (MSU CRFS)

 

The mission of MSU CRFS is to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

 

Contact: Rodger Cooley 

Contact: Sarah Larson  

Contact: Virginia Pleasant

Contact: Jamie Rahrig or Colleen Matts

 

Support for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Business Centers Program. The 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers support all 50 U.S. States and Territories, and are inclusive of all types of agricultural products produced locally or regionally.

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.