The Starting Block Kitchen Incubator, 1535 Industrial Park Dr., in Hart will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an open house Friday, Oct. 21 from 4-6 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend the open house according to Jane Dosemagen of the Starting Block. During the open house tours of the facilities will be given and samples of the foods created at the Starting Block will be made available. Starting Block made goods will also be available for purchase. 

According to Dosemagen the Starting Block has assisted over 90 new businesses in starting up, getting licensed and making their food products for sale.

Twenty-six of these food businesses have ‘graduate’ to their own licensed kitchens or use a co-packer who makes their product, while they continue to market it.

Products created at the Starting Block range from granola to salsa and popcorn. Pie and pickles have been made by the entrepreneurs who have gotten their start at the Starting Block Kitchen Business Incubator.

Among the many unique products created at the incubator is Lucky Beach Stout Mix, a beer flavoring, and Prayani, and Indian Savory Yogurt.

Lucky Beach Stout Mix is added to a glass of beer to give it a different taste. Flavorings include peanut butter, butterscotch, pumpkin and many more.

Prayani, is used as a dip, dressing, sauce or condiment and is available in a range of flavors including tomato or carrot with Cumin and coriander, and cucumber with mint and cilantro.

Since 2006, The Starting Block has served as West Michigan’s non-profit regional kitchen incubator and entrepreneurial center. As a shared-use facility, the Starting Block helps entrepreneurs start their food-related businesses at reasonable rentals without the initial investment in costly facilities and equipment. The Starting Block offers low-cost kitchen rental, refrigerated, frozen and dry storage, warehouse space and office rental for those looking to start food-related businesses. From product development to marketing and outreach, the Starting Block provides the assistance and support to help you achieve business dreams.

The Starting Block offers a fully-equipped licensed, commercial kitchen as well as two additional commercial, licensed kitchens for specialty and small-scale production and a USDA-inspected meat processing facility. This is the first USDA-inspected meat processing incubator facility in the state and one of only a few in the country. Certified staff in food handling and equipment operation are available for assistance and training. The Starting Block kitchens and meat facility are available for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information, call 231-873-1432 or email tsbi4@frontier.com. The Starting Block is located across from Hansen Foods – follow Industrial Park Drive to the first building on the left.