What is Food SPICE?
Food SPICE (Food Systems Partners Investing in Communities and Entrepreneurs) was a group of urban and rural food systems stakeholders working together to strengthen the viability, resilience, and equity of Michigan regional food economies. From fall 2020 to fall 2024, the program connected food businesses and other food systems partners to work together to grow equitable local economies across Michigan, with a special focus in Southwest Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
This program aimed to:
- Increase local food and farm business sales and customers
- Support Black, Indigenous, and entrepreneurs of color to start small food businesses
- Build food system capacity and collaboration
- Expand local food purchasing by 20% from food retailers, institutions, and distributors
Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Regional Food Systems Partnership program, Food SPICE supported approximately 120 food and farm businesses with one-on-one assistance along with specialized services including bookkeeping, marketing, and business planning to prepare for financing. Of the businesses who responded to the program surveys, 47% were white, 24% were Black, 12% were American Indian or Alaskan Native, 6% were Hispanic/LatinX, and 6% other. They reported capital formation of nearly $2.7M, $2.6M in sales growth, 109 new jobs created, and 50 jobs retained.
The program also provided resources and tools to strengthen the Michigan Incubator Kitchen Network, where shared use kitchen owners and managers come together for peer-to-peer learning, business development, and technical support. Through the program, we added eight new members and hosted quarterly network meetings.
Food SPICE partners learned together in both virtual and in-person settings about outreach and facilitation with a racial equity lens, food finance, LEAN process, food safety and regulations, and funding food systems initiatives. When surveyed, partners shared ways they had contributed to strengthening the resiliency of the food system including:
- Supporting small, young and beginning farmers with access to resources
- Hosting workshops for food business owners
- Providing access to financing
- Adding a position to help farmers connect to new markets
- Coaching packaged goods makers on including locally grown ingredients
What we accomplished
“Food SPICE has been a catalyst in the Battle Creek for the food industry.” - Food SPICE Partner
We offered food and farm business owners a number of opportunities for sector specific business support including marketing services, accounting services, consulting for kitchen incubator consumer packaged goods makers, plus product testing and food safety education. Food SPICE provided technical assistance support and opportunities to help food and farm business to start, grow and succeed!
By the numbers:
- Food and farm businesses supported: 120
- Capital formation: ~$2.7 Million
- Sales growth: $2.6 Million
- Jobs created: 109
- Jobs retained: 50
Food SPICE built collaborations
Food SPICE increased the readiness of entrepreneurs for commercial production, lending, and business growth.
What businesses said:
“It has been really helpful just having like each and every person for me to ask questions to, like these resources that are available for farmers.” - Food SPICE Entrepreneur
“Thank you so much for everyone's support at MSU! This would not have been possible without your counseling, connections, and funding. Thank you for everything you have done, as well as what we are currently working on!” - Food SPICE entrepreneur
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s starting to pay off. I couldn’t have done it without you guys help. You and your staff have been absolutely amazing. We just getting started 💪😁! Our best is yet to come! Be blessed!!” - Food SPICE entrepreneur
Print
Email