The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center
The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center will offer financial support, assistance, and connections to resources to support food and farm business owners across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin through mid-2028.
As one of twelve Regional Food Business Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July 2023, the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems coordinates the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center with a set of partners that serve as network coordinators for their respective places in the region:
- Illinois: Chicago Food Policy Action Council
- Indiana: Northwest Indiana Food Council
- Michigan: MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
- Wisconsin: Food Finance Institute at the University of Wisconsin System
- Regional tribal coordination: Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Food Systems
Learn more about the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center here.
Who Can Participate?
- Farmers, producers, and food business owners
- With small- or mid-sized businesses
- Seeking support for post-production and/or marketing activities
- Launching or growing a business
- Service providers who can offer assistance to these business owners in this region
Learn more, connect with your network coordinator in the region, and sign up to hear from us in your inbox at glm-rfbc@msu.edu.
Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center Partners
CRFS will serve as the key partner for Michigan, while the others will serve as Network Coordinators for their respective geographic areas, and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin will work regionally across all states.
- Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (Michigan)
- Chicago Food Policy Action Council (Illinois)
- Northwest Indiana Food Council (Indiana)
- Food Finance Institute of the University of Wisconsin System (Wisconsin)
- Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Food Systems (Regionally)
Upcoming Events
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Jun 4
What you need to know: Loan Readiness for First Time Borrowers Webinar
June 4, 2025 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Join the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center for a webinar on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 to help prepare food and farm businesses new to the lending process.
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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