DETROIT – The Michigan Good Food Fund (MGFF) today announced the release of its annual Holiday Gift Guide, a curated collection of locally made food products and services from entrepreneurs across the state. The Guide offers consumers a meaningful way to shop local during the holiday season while elevating small businesses supported through MGFF financing and technical assistance. The 2025 Gift Guide is available at https://giftguide.migoodfoodfund.org.
MGFF is a statewide initiative that invests in food and farm businesses committed to expanding access to healthy, affordable food and creating equitable economic opportunities. The fund provides loans, grants, coaching and specialized business support to businesses across the food value chain, including farms, food hubs, value-added producers, grocers, markets and neighborhood retailers.
A Mission-Driven Approach to Growing Michigan’s Food Economy
MGFF maintains a statewide reach with deep engagement in Metro Detroit and communities that face limited access to capital and healthy food. The initiative prioritizes racial and economic equity, directing resources to historically underinvested founders and entrepreneurs of color. MGFF’s technical assistance network supports businesses with marketing, operations, finance and strategic planning to help them grow and scale.
MGFF-funded businesses contribute to job creation, community vitality and healthy food access. Seed Awards, flexible capital and business advising have helped entrepreneurs strengthen operations, invest in infrastructure, expand product lines and bring new offerings to market.
Seed Award Impact: Stage One Incubator Kitchen
This year’s Gift Guide also highlights the impact of MGFF Seed Awards, including a recent $20,000 award to the Stage One Incubator Kitchen. The investment will support targeted upgrades that expand kitchen capacity from two to four concurrent users by Fall 2026, enabling more food startups to access affordable production space. Funding will assist with new prep and storage stations, shared-use equipment and improved administrative systems. The upgrades are expected to support two to three additional food businesses each year, strengthen financial sustainability and advance underrepresented entrepreneurs across the region.
About the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
The Michigan Good Food Fund Holiday Gift Guide features homegrown gifts and food products from independent Michigan companies supported by MGFF. Shoppers will find farm-raised meats, artisanal snacks, sauces, pickles, jams, baked goods, frozen pierogi and ready-to-eat meals. The Guide is organized into categories such as “For Your Favorite Foodie” and “For Your Holiday Gatherings,” making it easy to browse based on taste or occasion.
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Many featured businesses include founder profiles, product highlights, special promotions and direct links for online orders, farmers markets or storefront visits.
“The Michigan Good Food Fund Holiday Gift Guide is our annual showcase of mission-driven food entrepreneurs across the state. It highlights products that make meaningful, locally sourced holiday gifts,” MGFF stated. “The Guide connects consumers directly to MGFF-supported businesses, turning food entrepreneurship, equity and community impact into something people can taste, gift and share.”
Why the Guide Matters
The holiday season is a critical sales period for small businesses. The Gift Guide expands visibility, grows customer reach and offers a curated platform for entrepreneurs who are often overlooked in traditional markets. It also celebrates Michigan’s diverse and innovative food culture, highlighting BIPOC, women and immigrant-owned food businesses that shape the state’s food landscape.
“Every product in the Gift Guide represents a real entrepreneur supported by the Michigan Good Food Fund through loans, grants or technical assistance,” MGFF noted. “It is a tangible representation of our mission in action, showcasing healthy food access, job creation, local ownership and equitable economic opportunity.”
Call to Action
MGFF encourages Michigan residents to explore the Holiday Gift Guide and support Michigan-based food businesses throughout the season. When consumers choose products featured in the Guide, they contribute directly to a more resilient and equitable food system.
Visit the Guide at https://giftguide.migoodfoodfund.org and share it with your networks to uplift local Michigan makers.
About the Michigan Good Food Fund
The Michigan Good Food Fund is a statewide financing and technical assistance initiative that invests in food and farm businesses committed to creating a healthier, more equitable and more resilient food system. MGFF provides loans, grants and business support to entrepreneurs expanding access to healthy, affordable food and strengthening Michigan’s local and regional food economies.
