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.
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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More Resources
Small-scale food processing
Idea to Reality: Starting a Food Business in Wisconsin – a 3-page guide on how to get started with your food business in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Food Business Roadmap – a guide to getting started as a food processor in the state of Wisconsin *This site is currently under construction
Wisconsin Food Processing Guide – a comprehensive array of topics essential to food entrepreneurs starting up, scaling up, or just dreaming
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.
Additional assistance is available through the UW-Madison Extension. Call 608-263-7383 or email bhingham@wisc.edu for:
- one-on-one support for food businesses with food safety questions
- support for small food businesses trying to meet licensing requirements
- resources to assist with product development and production/packaging questions
- support with training, record-keeping, etc.
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
The 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
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.
They focus on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources in pursuit of their dreams and economic well-being … in particular women, people of color, veterans and low-income individuals.
Legal support
Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, University of Wisconsin-Madison – provides free legal services to emerging entrepreneurs and early stage companies through the work of law students supervised by faculty and private sector attorneys.
Marketing
Explore resources for local food business marketing.