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The tradeshow portion of the event is a mid-day public trade show including networking with Michigan-based vendors and buyers and also includes vendor awards from Meijer, Westborn Market, Fresh Thyme, and MSU Dairy Store. The event also provides a pitch competition with Michigan Good Food Fund.
The MIIM event is a great opportunity for new and existing businesses to connect and share their passion for Michigan-based food products that help our food and agriculture industry to thrive throughout the state. With many industry alums sharing their knowledge, this unique event is designed to help emerging companies launch their food products and businesses.
Registration is now open for the Making it in Michigan Conference and Tradeshow, be sure to register here.
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The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development voted at its regular meeting to approve a grant for a local Michigan business totaling $100,000. Precision Hardwoods will use the grant funding to increase their manufacturing capacity, for an expansion on their business space, for new advanced machinery, and to create 15 new jobs.
The funding for this project comes through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Food and Agriculture Investment Program, which provides financial support for projects that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan’s economy. Projects are selected based on their impact on the overall agriculture industry and food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.
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The exciting agenda is packed with influential speakers, craft beverage producers, and industry experts. You don't want to miss the opportunity to network with wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries from around the state, as well as suppliers, growers, and retailers. Join the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) and Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) at this one-of-a-kind, inaugural event! The Summit takes place March 4-5 at the Radisson in Kalamazoo.
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Panel discussions will unpack and elevate opportunities in Michigan’s dynamic craft beverage industry
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Agricultural sessions with a focus on research and market trends
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Administrative sessions on safety, groundwater discharge, automation, and state resource opportunities (grants)
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Valuable keynotes with industry thought leaders
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Fresh, relevant networking opportunities
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Matchmaking meetings with distributors and retailers during a Buyers Mission coordinated by PMBC on Tuesday, March 5
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Interact with Michigan equipment producers, service providers, growers, and other local exhibitors
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MDARD Grant Success Story: Quality Roasting LLC
Quality Roasting, LLC Moves to Michigan and Expands Production Using MDARD Grants
In 2017, Quality Roasting, Inc (QRI) and the DeLong Co., Inc. (DeLCo) created a joint venture to process soybeans crude soybean oil and a high by-pass soybean meal, Exceller Pro. The joint venture, Quality Roasting, LLC (QRLLC), uses QRI’s existing processing technology, business model, and existing branding. In 2019 QRLLC began crushing soybeans at their brand new facility in Reese, MI through a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Food and Ag Investment Fund grant they received in 2018.
Through their connection with MDARD, QRLLC has been able to build relationships with a more diverse agri-business community. With these new relationships, they are able to expand their product portfolio. Previously, they focused mainly on the dairy feed industry, however, since moving to Michigan they have created soybean meals for the poultry and swine feed industries, as well as the organic livestock industry. QRLLC has add 13 full-time positions in their Reese, Michigan facility, and will be adding 5 additional jobs with their 2024 grant funding through MDARD.
View their full story here.
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International Marketing
The International Marketing Program still has two booth spaces available for the National Restaurant Association Show that is taking place in Chicago, Illinois from May 18-21, 2024. This show is one of the largest gatherings of foodservice professionals in the world. The event boasts over 35,000 attendees that are a part of the foodservice industry. The Michigan Pavilion at the event is a part of the “Taste of the States” that showcases many businesses from all over the U.S. If you are interested in exhibiting and learning more, please contact Holly Gaffney at gaffneyh@michigan.gov.
We have one corner booth space left in our Michigan Pavilion at the Sweets and Snacks Expo! The event is moving to Indianapolis, Indiana this year and will take place from May 14-16, 2024. Thousands of industry professionals attend this show each year making this an ideal show to attend if your company is looking to grow in the sweets and snacks categories. If you are interested in exhibiting or have any questions, please contact Elissa Mutschler at mutschlere@michigan.gov.
 Food Export will host a buyers missions at the National Restaurant Show and at the Sweets and Snacks Expo. These events will be taking place before and during their respective show. Early registration is now open, and the cost is $175 for each mission. Early registration closes on March 15th for the National Restaurant Show and March 18 for the Sweets and Snacks Expo. Registration costs will rise following the early registration deadline. Buyers missions are a great opportunity to connect with international buyers from numerous markets in one place and without needing to travel internationally. Please contact Holly Gaffney at gaffneyh@michigan.gov for more information about the buyers mission at the National Restaurant Association Show and contact Elissa Mutschler at mutschlere@michigan.gov for more information about the buyers mission at the Sweets and Snacks Expo.
 Both trade shows are eligible for Food Export’s cost-reimbursement, Branded Program. Pre-qualification and the full application can be completed online through Food Export’s website. If you have any questions about the Branded Program please contact our International Marketing Program Team or our Food Export Liaison, Cindy Curtis at ccurtis@foodexport.org.
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Since 2000, the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) has awarded $776,055 in scholarships and educational awards to outstanding youth who have exhibited at the premier livestock events in Michigan. In 2024, a select number of applicants may be offered an opportunity to be interviewed, at the discretion of the MYLSF, before the Sale-Abration event for larger scholarship awards up to $5,000.
Applications and qualification requirements for the MYLSF and the statewide scholarship can be obtained here. Applications must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 pm on May 15, 2024.
For more information on this scholarship, visit our website.
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The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is accepting applications for its Dairy Business Builder Grant opportunity with eligibility for Michigan companies. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development joined the federal DBIA program in September 2022. This grant aims to encourage small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and processors in the Midwest to pursue projects such as dairy farm diversification, on-farm processing, value-added product creation, and efforts to market dairy products for export.
Applications for the grant will be accepted until April 3, 2024. Award announcements will be made in late May 2024.
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May 13-16, 2024 | Indianapolis, IN
May 13-15, 2024 | Indianapolis, IN
May 19-21, 2024 | Chicago, IL
May 17-19, 2024 | Chicago, IL
June 23-25, 2024 | New York, NY
October 17-19, 2024 | Atlanta, GA
October 19-23, 2024 | Paris, France
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