MSU Product Center

MSU Product Center Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from MSU Product Center, Michigan State University/446 W. Circle Drive, Lansing, MI.

The Product Center can help develop and commercialize high value, consumer-responsive products and businesses in the agriculture and natural resource sectors in Michigan. The MSU Product Center is a network that assists entrepreneurs in developing products and businesses in the area of food, agriculture, natural resources and the bio economy.

The MSU Product Center is excited to be partnering with Fresh Thyme Market on their first Pitch Thyme event on Friday, A...
08/13/2026

The MSU Product Center is excited to be partnering with Fresh Thyme Market on their first Pitch Thyme event on Friday, Aug. 14, where seven Michigan brands will have the opportunity to showcase their products and compete for a chance to earn a spot on Fresh Thyme’s shelves.

If you're in the Farmington, Michigan area, stop by Fresh Thyme Market between 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to meet us, sample products, and cast your vote for your favorites. We'd love to see you there and appreciate your support!

🚀 Ready to Scale Your Food or Beverage Business?As demand for your products grows, partnering with a co-packer or co-man...
08/05/2026

🚀 Ready to Scale Your Food or Beverage Business?

As demand for your products grows, partnering with a co-packer or co-manufacturer can help you increase production capacity, improve efficiency, and reach new markets. But how do you find the right partner—and build a successful working relationship?

Join the MSU Product Center for a free webinar featuring Matt White, owner of Good Trade Depot in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as he shares practical, real-world strategies for working successfully with co-packers.

✅ Learn how to identify and vet potential co-packers
✅ Understand pricing, communication, and production expectations
✅ Avoid common mistakes that can derail partnerships
✅ Discover tips for building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships

Whether you're exploring co-packing for the first time or preparing to scale your operations, this webinar will provide valuable insights to help you move forward with confidence.
Hosted by Mollie Woods, Director of the MSU Product Center

🔗 Register today: https://pears.io/events/msuext/8278/

🚀 Ready to take your food or beverage brand to the next level?Thinking about working with KeHE, one of the nation’s lead...
08/03/2026

🚀 Ready to take your food or beverage brand to the next level?

Thinking about working with KeHE, one of the nation’s leading natural, organic, and specialty food distributors? Join the free MSU Product Center webinar, “Is Your Brand KeHE Ready?” and learn what it takes to successfully prepare for wholesale distribution.

📅 September 10, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET)
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Free, but registration is required

During this webinar, you'll learn:

✅ How to determine if your business is ready for distribution
✅ What KeHE looks for in emerging brands
✅ Best practices for pitching your products
✅ What to expect during the vendor onboarding process
✅ Strategies for long-term success

Whether you're preparing to enter wholesale distribution or looking to strengthen your retail growth strategy, this session will provide practical insights to help position your products for success.
👉 Register today: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/webinar-is-your-brand-kehe-ready

🌱 Want to get your product into more retail locations? Start with farm stops! 🌱Michigan food entrepreneurs—join the MSU ...
08/03/2026

🌱 Want to get your product into more retail locations? Start with farm stops! 🌱

Michigan food entrepreneurs—join the MSU Product Center for a FREE webinar, "Selling at Farm Stops: Getting In and Growing Sales," and learn how farm stops can help expand your customer reach and grow your business. Hear practical insights on becoming retail-ready, avoiding common pitfalls, and standing out to buyers. Featured speaker Kathy Sample of Argus Farm Stop will share firsthand experience on what it takes to succeed in this unique retail channel.

📅 August 12, 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:00 p.m. (ET)
💻 Online Zoom Webinar - Free to attend

Whether you're launching a new food product or looking for additional sales channels, this webinar will provide valuable tips and strategies to help you grow your business.

👉 Register today: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/selling-at-farm-stops-getting-in-and-growing-sales

CURRENT MSU PRODUCT CENTER CLIENTSHave a question about your business? Need help navigating regulations, marketing, fund...
08/03/2026

CURRENT MSU PRODUCT CENTER CLIENTS

Have a question about your business? Need help navigating regulations, marketing, funding, or product development?

The MSU Product Center's new Virtual Office Hours, starting August 3, 2026, are designed to give entrepreneurs quick and easy access to expert guidance.

Meet confidentially via Zoom with Product Center team members to discuss your specific challenges and get personalized advice tailored to your business.

✔ Flexible scheduling
✔ Confidential conversations
✔ Multiple sessions available

Sometimes one conversation can help you move from feeling stuck to making progress. We're here to help.

See the email message from your counselor for the links to sign up for a Virtual Office Hour session.

Michigan Food & Beverage Entrepreneurs: Ready to learn what your customers really think about your product?Join us on Au...
07/30/2026

Michigan Food & Beverage Entrepreneurs: Ready to learn what your customers really think about your product?

Join us on August 5 at 10:00 AM for a free 1-hour webinar introducing the fundamentals of sensory and consumer science and how these tools can help you make informed product and business decisions.

Led by Dr. Emily Mayhew and the MSU Sensory Lab, this session will also explain how to apply for the MSU Sensory and Consumer Research Program—a unique opportunity for Michigan food entrepreneurs to receive a student-led, faculty-guided consumer sensory research study for just $160.

✅ Learn the basics of sensory and consumer research
✅ Discover how consumer insights can strengthen your products and business strategy
✅ Understand the application process and selection criteria
✅ Get tips to maximize your chances of being selected for the Fall 2026 program
✅ Participate in a live Q&A to support your application development

Participants selected for the program will be paired with an MSU student team to design and conduct a consumer research study, culminating in a final presentation and detailed report of results.

🎟️ Register today: https://pears.io/events/msuext/8090/

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable customer insights and take your food business to the next level!

🚨 Don’t miss this opportunity, Michigan entrepreneurs! 🚨The Start Garden 100 application deadline is quickly approaching...
07/06/2026

🚨 Don’t miss this opportunity, Michigan entrepreneurs! 🚨

The Start Garden 100 application deadline is quickly approaching — July 12 at 11:59 PM.

If you have a business idea or an existing product you’re ready to grow, this is your chance to connect with funding, partners, and valuable support. This statewide competition brings together multiple capital opportunities—including grants, loans, and even retail connections—all in one place.

✔ Submit a 100-second video pitch
✔ Get feedback and mentorship
✔ Compete for access to funding and growth opportunities

With more than $500,000 in capital opportunities available and a track record of launching and scaling Michigan businesses, this is one program you don’t want to miss.

👉 Apply now: https://contests.startgarden.com/start-garden-100/

💡 Tip: Food and CPG entrepreneurs—this could be a pathway to not only funding but potential retail connections as you scale.

Ready to build a brand that stands out—and actually sells?The Branding and Marketing Self-Guided Course for Food and Far...
07/01/2026

Ready to build a brand that stands out—and actually sells?

The Branding and Marketing Self-Guided Course for Food and Farm Businesses from the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is a free, flexible resource designed to help you strengthen your marketing strategy from the ground up.

Through five short, self-paced modules, you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define and build your brand
✔ Understand the basics of marketing
✔ Use social media effectively
✔ Create a simple, actionable marketing plan

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your message, this course is designed to meet you where you are—and help you move forward with confidence.

👉 Start learning at your own pace: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/branding-and-marketing-self-guided-course-for-food-and-farm-businesses

Address

Michigan State University/446 W. Circle Drive
Lansing, MI
48824

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+15175803404

Website

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