Nine Macomb County packaged food and beverage producers were the big winners at the first-ever Best of the Zest Food Pitch Competition. Launched by Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED), the nine companies shared more than $30,000 in grants to aid in the development of their businesses. The winners chose from services offered through county partners, including Macomb Community College, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, MSU Product Center, Pure Michigan Business Connect, Taste the Local Difference and Velocity.
The pitch competition was held Thursday, Aug. 22 at Velocity in Sterling Heights. The goal of the contest was to help packaged food and beverage producers flourish by providing the chance to win grants, or technical assistance, through partner organizations that can help grow a business.
The winning businesses include:
The pitch competition was held Thursday, Aug. 22 at Velocity in Sterling Heights. The goal of the contest was to help packaged food and beverage producers flourish by providing the chance to win grants, or technical assistance, through partner organizations that can help grow a business.
The winning businesses include:
- Belledines BBQ Sauce and Seasonings
- Clementine’s Pastries
- For Heaven’s Cake
- Grandma Luckey's Dressing & Marinade
- Keto Katz Bakery
- Pronko Enterprises, LLC - Maria's House Made Salsa
- Radical Plants, LLC
- Teta Food
- Thai Feast
“This was a great contest between a variety of phenomenal new businesses that are really working to establish and grow their footprint in Macomb County,” MCPED Director Vicky Rowinski said. “It was exciting to learn more about their future plans, and Macomb County and our partners are ready to provide support in helping them achieve their goals.”
All applications that were submitted by July 25 were reviewed and the top companies were invited to make their five-minute “pitch” to a panel of judges, hoping to prove why they were most worthy of being named “Best of the Zest” in Macomb County. Contestants needed to be manufactured, packaged food or beverage producers with 10 or less employees that created products from raw materials, either for distribution or face-to-face sales. They also needed to be either female-owned; minority-owned; veteran-owned; or located in an underserved area.
Learn more about the Best of the Zest competition here.
All applications that were submitted by July 25 were reviewed and the top companies were invited to make their five-minute “pitch” to a panel of judges, hoping to prove why they were most worthy of being named “Best of the Zest” in Macomb County. Contestants needed to be manufactured, packaged food or beverage producers with 10 or less employees that created products from raw materials, either for distribution or face-to-face sales. They also needed to be either female-owned; minority-owned; veteran-owned; or located in an underserved area.
Learn more about the Best of the Zest competition here.
Lauri Morley
lauri.morley@macombgov.org
586-612-8427
