MSU partnership offers free services to food businesses

Diane Longanbach<longbach@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Making It In Michigan First Time Vendor Program is powered by Pure Michigan Business Connect and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

For decorative purposes.

Michigan State University Extension and the MSU Product Center are happy to announce that five businesses from the 2023 Making It In Michigan (MIIM) Trade Show have been chosen to receiving a free bundle of services as part of the 2023 MIIM First Time Vendor Program. This program is powered by Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

The winning Michigan food companies listed below were chosen due to their innovative products, location in the state, and having been a first-time vendor at the MIIM Trade Show this year.

  • Shortie’s TC, a specialty cracker and shortbread cookie company out of Traverse City
  • Five Lakes Coffee, a coffee business in eight locations with big ideas, headquartered in Sturgis
  • Sister Bee’s, a company with honey, personal care products, and much more out of Ludington
  • The Mush Hub, a fungi boutique and guide on all things mushrooms and truffles in Royal Oak
  • Pizza Katerina, a restaurant with wholesale frozen dough and frozen gourmet pizza products in Kalamazoo

All five businesses will receive an initial consultation with PMBC and MDARD as well as receive unlimited counseling by the MSU Product Center. Based on the needs of each company, the MSU Product Center will also provide the following services to assist them in launching their products:

  • Production Efficiency Consultation
  • Retort Process Set-Up at the MSU Food Processing Innovation Center (FPIC)
  • MSU FPIC 1 Day Rental Fee Waived
  • Labeling ClaimsConsultation by Specialized Services
  • Nutrition Facts Label Development

The Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Product Center provides business counseling and helps Michigan entrepreneurs launch new food products. The MSU Product Center is a resource for Michigan-based food and beverage companies to develop Nutrition Facts labeling for products. This is a fee-based service. Join the MSU Product Center by clicking on the “Become a Client” link here. Starting in July 2023, the application fee to join the MSU Product Center will be $100.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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  • food business & regulation,
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  • making it in michigan,
  • msu extension,
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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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