The Starting Block is a home for individuals who want to take a special recipe to market or create a food business.
We are a non-profit, regional economic development organization committed to small business development initiatives - for businesses just starting out, or companies outgrowing their current facilities.
We provide entrepreneurs, producers, and processors properly equipped, licensed, and inspected food processing kitchens at reasonable rentals without the initial investment in costly facilities and equipment.
The shared-use, fully-equipped commercially licensed kitchens help meet food processing needs at low hourly rental rates. Our kitchens are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week!
We are one of the few kitchen incubators with a 100-gallon Vat Pasteurizer for making cheese and other dairy products.
Refrigerator, freezer, and dry pallet storage is available for rent. Check our
Fee Schedule for more details.
Office rental at our facility includes computer and internet access, phone, and office support.
In addition to commercial kitchens, storage, and office rental, The Starting Block offers:
Technical advice is offered on food production, pH testing, recipe batching, packaging, and labeling.
Small business management, networking, and individual business guidance are offered, along with classes on Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Small Business Management.
In addition to the kitchen and entrepreneurial support at The Starting Block, support is available through the Michigan State University Product Center.
Read our Food Safety Updates newsletters, featuring Starting Block clients and Food Safety Tips.
Hepatitis A Outbreak in Michigan
Top Food Safety Tips
Reduce the Risk of Foodborne Illness
Gluten-free labeling
Microbiology of Food Processing