2025 Making It In Michigan Trade Show awards

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

Michigan retailers invite food entrepreneurs to sell in their stores after the 2025 Making It In Michigan Trade Show event.

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Michigan food businesses displayed their products for visitors of the MSU Product Center's 16th annual Making It In Michigan Trade Show in May 2025. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

The 16th annual Making It In Michigan (MIIM) Conference and Trade Show was held at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan, on May 7, 2025. The event featured dynamic educational panels, buyer-supplier events, and a pitch competition. Additionally, the Trade Show featured over 115 Michigan-based food vendors, many of which are Michigan State University Product Center clients.

MSU’s beloved mascot, Sparty, visited the MIIM Trade Show to help present a few entrepreneurs with special awards from retail grocery partners at the event. These awards give the selected companies an invitation to sell their product at their stores.

Thank you to all the entrepreneurs and retail partners who made the Making It In Michigan event a continued success in 2025!

The Next SKU Could Be You Award

For decorative purposes.

Terri Wolters of Salted Perfections. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

For decorative purposes.

Marissa Fellow of Great Lakes Tinned Fish. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

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James Phillips of Linkland Snack Foods. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

Westborn Market presented “The Next SKU Could be You Award” to Salted Perfections in Spring Lake, Linkland Snack Foods in Ada, and Great Lakes Tinned Fish in Grand Rapids.

The Golden Ticket Award

Meijer Market Format Stores’ Independence Market presented “The Golden Ticket Award” to Semifreddo in Grand Rapids.

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Jordan Shirk of Semifreddo. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

First Time at Fresh Thyme Award

Fresh Thyme presented the “First Time at Fresh Thyme Award” to SeaPharms in Royal Oak.

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Marcus Webb of SeaPharms. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

Green and White Award

The MSU Dairy Store presented the “Green and White Award” to Michigan Biscuit Company in Lake Orion.

For decorative purposes.
Lexie Schwarze of Michigan Biscuit Company. Photo Credit: Ryan Newcomb.

MSU Product Center

MSU Extension and the MSU Product Center assist entrepreneurs and businesses to develop products and services in the food and agriculture markets. Its team of experts consults with clients on a one-on-one basis, helping new entrepreneurs navigate from concept development to launch and beyond. The MSU Product Center also offers specialized services such as labeling, packaging, and nutritional analysis. If you are interested in business counseling from the MSU Product Center, please visit the website at canr.msu.edu/productcenter.

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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