Federal Resources/Contacts
There are many valuable federal resources available for your use as an entrepreneur. To help you quickly access many of these resources, you will find a list by category with links to the respective information.
Economic Development Financing and Resources
Financial Definitions
- Fixed Interest Rate Loan – a loan or mortgage where the interest rate remains unchanged for the entire loan term or a part of it
- Adjustable-Rate Loan – a loan or mortgage with an interest rate periodically adjusted based on some index i.e., prime rate
- Prime Rate – the interest rate that banks lend to customers with strong credit histories which is currently 3.25%
- Fixed Assets – assets which are purchased for long term use and are not likely to be easily converted to cash such as land, building and equipment typically can be used for collateral
- Working Capital – the amount of cash a business can safely spend. Its typically made up of cash and easily convertible cash equivalents to pay for the operating costs to run a business, usually not collateralized
- Collateral – something pledged as security for the repayment of a loan in event of default
SBA Loan Programs
- SBA Express Loan Program
- SBA Microloans
- Find a lender in your state
- SBA 7A Program - business loan guarantees up to $5 million
- SBA 504 Program - provides long term fixed rate financing for major fixed assets
USDA-FAS Agricultural Lending Programs
- Farm Loans - Direct farm operating loans up to $400,000 for working capital and Farm ownership loans up to 100% financing to purchase property, maximum $600,000
- Farm Micro Loan Program - Designed to meet the needs of small farmers or nontraditional "niche" farmers
- USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) - Planning and working capital grant
Exporting Dairy Products Resources
- Food Export Association of the Midwest - Private, non-profit international trade organization – exporter education, market entry, market promotion
- Export-Import Bank - Get financing, protect against buyer non-payment, sell to foreign customers on credit terms, etc.
- Small Business Administration
- SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) - Provides financial awards to state and territory governments to assist small businesses with export development - Trade missions, shows, virtual events
- SBA Export Express, Export Working Capital, International Trade Loans
- US Commercial Service
- US Dairy Export Council - Dairy product export professionals
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Food Safety, Quality, Regulatory Resources
- Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO)
- USDA Milk for Manufacturing Purposes and its Production and Processing, Recommended Requirements
- 7 CFR 58-Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Dairy Products
- 3A Standards for construction of dairy equipment
- 21 CFR 117 - Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
- Federal Milk Marketing Order
- Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual
Food Safety and Regulations - Labeling:
- Legal food labeling requirements
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFD&C Act)
- Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
- Nutrition Labeling and Education Act
- Food Allergen labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004
- FDA’s regulations on food labeling - 21 CFR 101
- Food Labeling and Nutrition Overview
- Food Labeling Guide
- Food Allergens Labeling Information
- United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrient Database
- Nutrition Labeling Manual
- Product Label
Food Safety and Regulations - Recordkeeping:
- Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
- 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart J
- Food Safety Modernization Act
- Establishment and Maintenance of Records
- Records and Records Access under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- Food Safety Modernization Act
- FSMA FAQ
- FSMA Guidance Documents
- FSMA Training - Not Region Specific
- FSMA Technical Assistance Network
USDA Grading and Inspection Program
Food and Drug Administration - Facility Registration:
- Registration of Food Facilities
- Guidance for Industry: What You Need to Know About Registration of Food Facilities; Small Entity Compliance Guide
- Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 External Link Disclaimer (Bioterrorism Act) - You must contact the FDA to see if bioterrorism registration is required or call 1-800-216-7331
- 21 CFR section 1.225
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- Food Defense Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information
Food Safety - EPA Program Resources:
Additional Food Safety Resources
- Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance
- Dairy Practices Council
- American Dairy Science Association
- Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
- Safe Cheesemaking Hub
- Safe Ice Cream Hub
- Food Safety Gov
- Food Safety News
- Recall Plan – Create a recall plan for your product. A completed recall plan should be on site for inspector review
Marketing Resources
- Midwest Dairy
- Bob Lefebvre, VP, Agriculture Affairs, blefebvre@midwestdairy.com, 763-515-6519
- Megan Sheets, MBA, Manager, Consumer Insights, msheets@midwestdairy.com