What is MSMA?
Mountain State Market Academy (MSMA) is a six-month customized accelerator program built for value-added product makers and entrepreneurs. The program begins by evaluating where each participant currently stands in their business and identifying where they want to go. From there, participants are placed into cohorts of three to five businesses that are in similar situations with similar end goals.
Each cohort is led by a West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition (WVFFC) staff member and a team of experts who provide tailored technical assistance designed around the specific needs and goals of that cohort. Over the course of six months, MSMA guides participants through a structured process to help them reach the business outcomes they are working toward.
Who is MSMA For?
MSMA is designed for value-added product makers, including producers of items such as:
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Jams and jellies
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Acidified foods
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Sauces
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Syrups
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Frozen items
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Baking mixes
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Granolas
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Honey
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And other value-added food products
The program is especially suited for entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses, achieve FDA compliance, and obtain process authority to reach new markets beyond their current footprint.
Priority for program admission will be given to applicants who are working toward FDA compliance that allows them to sell and ship products outside of West Virginia. However, applicants who are not yet at that stage but are building toward it will also be considered.
We understand that the path to FDA compliance can feel overwhelming. MSMA is here to guide participants through the process of obtaining:
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Process authority approval
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Product liability coverage
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Appropriate packaging and labeling
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And other scaling needs
2026 Program Goals
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10 new products achieve process authority and approval to sell out of state
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Sales: $250,000 in new sales generated through Mountain State Coop cooperative
Pre-Admission
Before being accepted into the program, all interested participants must complete the following steps:
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Submit an application. Seats are limited, and priority will be given to businesses with goals to sell out of state. However, applicants who may not fit that criteria but have goals to in the future will also be considered if seats are available.
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Complete an assessment that helps identify where the applicant is in the process and what their goals are.
Admissions
Selected participants will sign an agreement confirming their six-month commitment to the program, which includes:
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Meeting twice per month with their cohort and program staff
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Completing assigned work and tasks between sessions
Topics Covered
Participants who complete the program and meet program benchmarks are eligible for the following benefits:
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Mountain State CoHop Cooperative: opportunity to apply to join the Mountain State CoHop Cooperative, a marketing cooperative that is currently moving qualifying products to markets across West Virginia and throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
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Paid Process Authority Reviews - The first 40 recipes submitted for process authority review will have the cost covered by WVFFC at no charge to the participant.
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Free Label and Packaging Design - The first 10 product makers who have their recipes, products, business models, and production processes ready for out-of-state sales will receive free packaging and label development with an expert graphic designer.