Food Business Development

A customer reaches for an apple being sold at an outdoor stand.

Food Business Development

We partner with other Extension programs and state and national organizations to connect small-scale food and farm entrepreneurs with business services providers and research-based training. We provide resources on topics such as food safety and licensing. Our goal is to provide programs and resources that are  linguistically and culturally relevant.

Featured Resource

Healthy Retail Access Program Evaluation Report

This report evaluates the City of Madison’s Healthy Retail Access Program (HRAP) which provides small grants to food retailers to improve access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate foods in low food access areas of the city.

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Healthy Retail Access Program Evaluation Report (PDF)
Rows of fresh produce

More Resources

Small-scale food processing

Community, shared-use, incubator kitchens

  • WI FoodBIN – a network of Wisconsin co-packing facilities, shared-use kitchens and food business incubators that help farmers and food entrepreneurs get value-added food products to market without investing in costly food processing infrastructure. These facilities are often used as a stepping stone for new food/farm businesses before they develop their own food processing capacity.
  • Food Corridor – updated and useful resources for the shared use kitchen community
  • Food Business Incubation Network – a global network of food incubators, accelerators, and shared-use kitchens, developed in partnership with the USDA and the Rutgers Food Innovation Center

Food safety, licensing, and regulation

  • Starting a Food Business in WI: Keeping Food Safety in Mind Dr. Barbara Ingham, Food Safety Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, provides answers to basic questions about the types of licenses a food business may need and standards for a food production facility. She provides tips on developing food safety plans and offers hints for locating resources and support so small food entrepreneurs can get their businesses licensed in Wisconsin.
  • The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Division of Food and Recreational Safety is responsible for enforcing food regulations and inspecting food establishments. Many people dream of transforming their favorite recipes into the next profitable taste sensation.  After all, it seems like plenty of well-known people have done it and become household names. So, if starting a food-oriented small business is more than just a dream, make sure you are licensed, know the rules and follow them. Licensing Specialists Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP): by phone 608-224-4923 or email datcpdfslicensing@wi.gov
  • Food Research InstituteThe portal to food safety at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Housed within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, FRI operates its own laboratories and administers its own research and service programs.

Business development and financing

  • UW Center for Cooperatives Start a new co-op, strengthen an established co-op, or convert an existing business to the cooperative structure. Cooperatives can diversify and strengthen their local economic communities because of their local ownership, control and operations. Profits tend to remain in the local economy because they are returned to members, or reinvested in the locally based cooperative business. When members patronize their local cooperative, they are supporting employment and business activity in their communities.
  • Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin Entrepreneurs, businesses and economic development professionals across the state can achieve their goals through expert consulting, educational resources and a dynamic statewide network.
  • The Food Finance Institute (FFI), a partner of the Institute, leverages and supports a collaborative network of professionals focused on building and funding profitable businesses in the food, beverage and value-added agriculture sector.
  • The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC), also a partner of the Institute, is a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education.
  • WI Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) – sponsors several programs intended for inventors, entrepreneurs and researchers.
  • Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation – provides targeted individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and financial education.

Legal support

Marketing