The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center

Update:

On July 15, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture announced the termination of the Regional Food Business Center program.

The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center will continue offering business assistance and programming through September 15, 2025.

We remain committed to providing the assistance farmers, producers, and food businesses need to thrive. CRFS and the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center partners will continue to support resilient food systems in our region.

Read our full press release here for more details: USDA closes Regional Food Business Center Program, halting funding and support for Great Lakes Midwest Farmers

RFBC Great Lakes full color with transparent background.png 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

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.

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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

Aug 27

Driving Demand: Identifying your target consumer and crafting a story that will sell

August 27, 2025 1:00PM – 2:00PM EST | 12:00PM - 1:00PM CST

Join the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center for a webinar for packaged food brands looking to increase product demand.
Sep 10

Tribal Food Producer Information Session — September

September 10, 2025 12:30PM – 1:30PM EST | 11:30AM - 12:30PM CST

This Tribal Food Producer Information Session will provide updates on resources to support growing businesses in the Midwest.

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.