Food Business Resources
Ready to take the next step in your food business journey? Eastern Market is proud to support food entrepreneurs and businesses, at all stages, throughout the Metro Detroit area and beyond. One of the many ways we provide a supportive and interactive environment is through connecting food entrepreneurs to the vast resources to not only start their food business, but to keep it thriving. Whether an aspiring food artisan or a budding restaurateur, below we’ve put together a wealth of resources to help food entrepreneurs and businesses.
Shared Commercial Kitchens & Co-Packers in Metro Detroit
Discover a variety of shared commercial kitchen spaces in the Metro Detroit area to develop and perfect recipes, scale production, and launch a food business. From fully-equipped facilities to flexible rental options, these kitchens provide the ideal environment for food businesses to launch and grow. Connect with co-packers who can help you streamline your production process, package your products professionally, and bring your products to market. Whether producing sauces, snacks, baked goods, or beverages, this list of co-packers offers a range of services to meet your needs.
List of Shared Kitchens
Eastern Market Shed 5 Kitchen
2934 Russell St.
Detroit, MI 48207
Website: https://easternmarket.org/programs/start-a-food-business
Email: Contact Brandon Seng at bseng@easternmarket.org
Equipment: convection ovens, 6-burner stove, flat top griddle, grill, fryer, steamer, kettle, cold and dry storage
Brightmoor Artisans Collective
22735 Fenkell St.
Detroit, MI 48223
Website: https://brightmoorartisans.org/incubator-kitchen
Email: brightmoorartisans@gmail.com
Equipment: Six burner stove, convection oven, flat top griddle, cold and dry storage
Authority Health Community Kitchen
10809 Mack Ave.
Detroit, MI 48224
Contact: Brittany Reid, 313-456-5058, breid-po@authorityhealth.com
Equipment: six burner stove, double ovens
Business types accepted: Cooking classes and demonstrations, restaurant pop ups, and special events
Fellowship Chapel Community Kitchen
7707 Outer Dr. West
Detroit, MI
Website: https://www.fellowshipchapel.org/fellowship-rentals/community-commercial-kitchen/
Email: fellowshipchapelrentals@yahoo.com
Contact: 313-347-2820 x131
Equipment: 12-burner stove, convection ovens, deep fryers, steamers, tilt skillet, cold and dry storage
The D Loft Commercial Kitchen
20449 Schaefer Hwy.
Detroit, MI 48235
Website: https://www.thedloft.com/the-d-loft-commercial-kitchen
Email: thedloftkitchen@gmail.com
Contact: 313-879-0750
Equipment: gas range, convection ovens, flat top griddle, grill, cold and dry storage
The Culinary Studio
Applegate Shopping Center
29673 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48034
Website: https://www.myculinarystudio.com/
Email: info@myculinarystudio.com
Contact: 248-353-2500
Equipment: convection ovens, gas range, flat top griddle, grill, cold and dry storage
Rosie’s Community Kitchen
235 Spencer Ln.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/rosiescommunitykitchen/home
Email: Colleen@PICFoodSafety.com
Contact: 734-294-2287
Equipment: convection ovens, gas range, fryers, flat top griddle, tilt skillet, cold and dry storage
Fresh Collective Kitchen & Market
2752 Coolidge Hwy.
Berkeley, MI 48072
Website: https://www.freshcollectivekitchen.com/the-kitchen
Email: freshcollectivekitchen@gmail.com
Equipment: convection ovens, gas range, cold and dry storage
Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen
922 Michigan Ave.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Website: https://growinghope.net/programs/food-entrepreneurship/the-growing-hope-incubator-kitchen/
Equipment: gas range, convection ovens, kettle
650 Church St.
Plymouth, MI 48170
Website: https://www.proudmittenkitchen.com/
Equipment:
Rosedale Park Community Kitchen
18445 Scarsdale
Detroit, MI 48223
Contact: 313-837-3416
Equipment: gas range, combi oven, cold and dry storage
12930 Capital St.
Oak Park, MI
Website: https://www.capitalkitchenmi.com/
Contact: Paul Gabriel 248-615-2955
Equipment: gas range,convection oven, cold and dry storage
The FlavorLab Culinary Collective
812 N. Main St.
Rochester, MI 48307
Website: https://www.theflavorlab.kitchen/
Contact: info@theflavorlab.kitchen
Equipment: gas range, grill, smoker, fryer, convection ovens, proofer, cold and dry storage
61 Grosse Pointe Blvd.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Website: https://www.thekitchendoor.com/kitchen-rental/christ-church-commons
Contact: lisa@flavorlabmi.com
Equipment: gas range, ovens, cold and dry storage
Food Co-Packers
Connect with co-packers who can help you streamline your production process, package your products professionally, and bring your products to market. Whether producing sauces, snacks, baked goods, or beverages, this list of co-packers offers a range of services to meet your needs.
Feast Detroit
Specializes in: sauces, soups, beverages, shelf stable products, etc
Total Food Package
https://totalfoodpackage.com/contact/
allergen-free dry blender
Asmus Seasonings
https://asmusseasonings.com/what-we-do/
dry-blending
Al Pronko
248-703-1072
Specializes in: shelf-stable sauces and salsas, etc.
Food Business Classes and Events
Join us at Eastern Market, in partnership with In the Business of Food, for a variety of classes and events designed specifically for food entrepreneurs and businesses. Learn from industry experts, sharpen your skills, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs at workshops, classes, and events covering topics such as food safety, customer service, content creation, marketing, AI and more!
ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification Course & Exam
ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program for any one working in the food industry. The course discusses foodborne illnesses, including information on specific foodborne pathogens and biological toxins, contamination, and major food allergens. Prevention is also covered, with information regarding purchasing and receiving guidelines, food preparation, holding, and serving guidelines, food safety management systems, sanitation guidelines for facilities and equipment, as well as food safety regulations.
The ServSafe Manager Certification is a five-year certification and verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. Cost is $135/person.
March class: Monday, March 25th
April class: Monday, April 22nd
May class Monday, May 13th
June class Monday, June 17th
July class Monday, July 15th
August class Monday, August 19th
September class Monday, September 16th
October classMonday, October 21st
November class Monday, November 18th
Community Conversations
Each month, we will delve deep into crucial issues impacting the food and beverage industry, offering invaluable insights for every food-based business owner or entrepreneur at any stage. Beyond knowledge shared by subject matter experts, these sessions are vibrant hubs of networking, fostering connections among like-minded entrepreneurs, and building community. These sessions are FREE and open to all members of the food business community.
1st Monday of each month from 5pm-6:30pm
Monday, March 4th
Topic: The Power of Community: Stories of Connection in Detroit’s Food Scene
Monday, April 8th
Topic: FREE headshots for food businesses & industry professionals
Monday, May 6th
Topic: Getting Ready for Market Season
Monday, June 3rd
Topic: Fireside chat + Book signing with Katherine Miller, author of At the Table: A Chef’s Guide to Advocacy
Monday, July 8th
Topic: From Incubator to Accelerator: Stories of Triumphs & Obstacles in Scaling a Food Business
Monday, August 5th
Topic: Masterclass: Content Creation & AI
Monday, September 9th
Topic: Social Media Management
Monday, October 7th
Topic: Food + Tech
Monday, November 4th
Topic: Masterclass: Mastering Customer Service
How to Operate in a Commercial Kitchen
This comprehensive 2-hour session will provide practical insights to successfully navigate the ins and outs of working in a shared commercial kitchen. This workshop will include information on licensing and regulations, kitchen etiquette and best practices, food safety protocols, and available shared commercial kitchens in the area. Cost: FREE
On the 2nd Tuesday every other month 12pm-2pm (in-person only)
Tuesday, April 9th
Tuesday, June 11th
Tuesday, August 13th
Tuesday, October 15th
Tuesday, December 10th
*Facilities needs: None
Essential Ingredients for Starting a Food Business (CPG edition)
A 6-week workshop series designed to provide the fundamentals and strong foundation for a CPG business (consumer-packaged goods, retail food product, etc). Learn the basics of starting a business, calculating cost of goods sold, retail pricing, packaging, marketing, and so much more! Cost: $100
Thursdays for 6 weeks 6pm-8pm
Thursday, March 21st
Thursday, March 28th
Thursday, April 4th
Thursday, April 11th
Thursday, April 18th
Thursday, April 25th
Apply here!
Applications close: Friday, March 15th, 2024 at Noon
Essential Ingredients for Starting a Food Business (Foodservice edition)
A 6-week workshop series designed to provide the fundamentals and strong foundation for a CPG business (consumer-packaged goods, food product, etc). Learn the basics of starting a business, calculating cost of goods sold, retail pricing, packaging, marketing, and so much more! Cost: $100
Thursdays for 6 weeks 6pm-8pm
Thursday, May 2nd
Thursday, May 9th
Thursday, May 16th
Thursday, May 23rd
Thursday, May 30th
Thursday, June 6th
Apply here!
Applications close: Friday, April 26th, 2024
How to Successfully Scale Your Food Product Business
A 6-week workshop series designed to provide in-depth insights into the unique challenges and strategies involved in scaling a food product business, covering aspects from strategic planning, pricing strategies, and distribution, to operational efficiency and financial management. Cost: $200
Thursdays for 6 weeks 6pm-8pm
Thursday, August 8th
Thursday, August 15th
Thursday, August 22nd
Thursday, August 29th
Thursday, September 5th
Thursday, September 12th
How to Successfully Scale Your Food Service Business
A 6-week workshop series designed to provide in-depth insights into the unique challenges and strategies involved in scaling food businesses, covering aspects from strategic planning, marketing and branding strategies, operational efficiency and financial management. Cost: $200
Thursdays for 6 weeks 6pm-8pm
Thursday, September 26th
Thursday, October 3rd
Thursday, October 10th
Thursday, October 17th
Thursday, October 24th
Thursday, October 31st (may move class to 10/30 since 10/31 is Halloween)
Licensing Guides
Navigating the regulatory landscape can be daunting for food entrepreneurs, but these licensing guides are here to help. Learn about the permits, licenses, and certifications required to start and operate a food business in Michigan, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations every step of the way.
Small Business Support Organizations
Access a network of small business support organizations dedicated to helping food entrepreneurs succeed. From business development assistance to funding opportunities and mentorship programs, these organizations provide valuable resources and support to help you grow your food business.
Welcome Center Hours
Stop in to ask a question, get maps and recipes, or present your Bridge Card to receive tokens accepted at many vendors under the sheds.
- Saturday 7am-4pm (year-round)
- Tuesday 9am-3pm (June-Sept.)
- Sunday 10am-4pm (June-Sept.)
District shops and restaurants are open after shed hours.
Check our directory for specifics.
1445 Adelaide, Detroit, MI 48207
(between Sheds 2 and 3)
Give Back to Eastern Market
Our work as a nonprofit includes managing the public market and operating programs to strengthen Metro Detroit’s food sector. We operate programs that increase access to healthy food and incubate and accelerate the growth of food businesses. Donate today & become a Friend of Eastern Market!
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Eastern Market Corporation is looking for qualified people like you to help us nourish a healthier, wealthier, and happier Detroit. Click below to check our current job openings and see if you might be a good fit with our team!
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