Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center (MMFEC) supports economic development of Montana’s food and Value Added Agriculture Industry

The Mission Mountain Food Center serves as one of eight Centers in the Montana Food and Agriculture Development Network (FADC Network). The FADC Network helps Montanans innovate and grow businesses that produce and commercialize food, agricultural and renewable energy products and processes, creating wealth and jobs in our communities and on our farms and ranches.

The centers – located throughout Montana – operate as a statewide network serving community-based businesses. MMFEC focuses specifically on:

• Food Product and Market Testing & Development
• Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance Trainings
• Food Labeling, Packaging Development & Sourcing
• Processing for Farm-to-Cafeteria markets
• Food Business Assistance & Co-op development
• Guidance on Organic Certification
• Food Science Technical Assistance
• Grant Writing Assistance

Food Safety is a significant concern of today’s food consumer. Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center’s staff can assist our clients in meeting FDA and USDA regulations that govern their food businesses and to ensure a safe product for public consumption. Check out our Events Calendar for the following workshops offered throughout the year:

• Concept to Consumer
• Better Process Control School
• Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center – MMFEC – offers value-added products and alternative protein center-of-the-plate items for schools, early care and education centers, and other institutions. We work with Western Montana Growers Cooperative and local farmers to process fresh and frozen produce, such as carrot coins, pitted cherries, butternut squash cubes, and more. By providing processed fresh and well as frozen items, MMFEC is able to keep Montana products on menus year-round, even in the middle of winter!

In addition to value-added produce, we have developed center-of-the-plate alternative protein items, such as our Montana Lentil Burger, Lentil and Mushroom Meatballs, and Beef and Lentil Crumble. These items are made with Montana-grown products and are packaged and frozen for school and institution menus. Check out our Farm to School Product Guide for more information about our services, pricing, and ordering instructions.

Check out our recent local food procurement report produced in cooperation with the National Center for Appropriate Technology:

Local Food for Local Kids: Reducing Barriers to Local Food Procurement in Montana Schools.