Fresh Baby Earns Top 50 Spot in Michigan's Companies to Watch List

Petoskey-based public health company recognized for work in reducing diet-related chronic diseases

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Fresh Baby, a Petoskey-based company focused on reducing diet-related chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and type two diabetes through early childhood intervention, has been named one of Michigan's 50 Companies to Watch in 2026 by the Michigan Celebrates Small Business organization. The recognition follows a competitive selection process involving 1,000 applicants statewide.

Why it matters

Fresh Baby's selection validates the company's long-term mission in the public health sector, highlighting its work to provide children with a 'fresh start' on healthy nutrition from infancy. As a health-focused brand that works directly with public health partners rather than traditional retail channels, Fresh Baby's approach aims to reach parents during the critical early stages of habit formation in children.

The details

Since its founding in 2002, Fresh Baby has focused on reducing diet-related chronic diseases through its baby food-making kits and other products designed to encourage healthy eating habits from infancy. The company was selected for the Michigan's Companies to Watch list out of 1,000 applicants statewide, a recognition that founder and CEO Cheryl Tallman says is a 'testament to the type of work we do' in the public health sector.

  • Fresh Baby was founded in 2002.
  • The company was selected for the Michigan's Companies to Watch list in 2026.

The players

Fresh Baby

A Petoskey-based company focused on reducing diet-related chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and type two diabetes through early childhood intervention.

Cheryl Tallman

The founder and CEO of Fresh Baby.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business

The organization that selected Fresh Baby as one of Michigan's 50 Companies to Watch in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“According to their press release, there were a thousand companies who submitted applications. So, to be chosen as a top 50 is super exciting. And it's also, I think, a testament to the type of work we do.”

— Cheryl Tallman, Founder and CEO, Fresh Baby (Fresh Baby)

“Since 2002 when the company was founded, we have been focused on eliminating and reducing diet-related chronic disease in this country. So, areas that we focus on are specifically obesity, type two diabetes and heart disease.”

— Cheryl Tallman, Founder and CEO, Fresh Baby (Fresh Baby)

“The company was started with a baby food making kit back in 2002 and our thought was to start at the beginning, where a child is introduced to food and get them on a fresh start or, a start.”

— Cheryl Tallman, Founder and CEO, Fresh Baby (Fresh Baby)

What’s next

Fresh Baby plans to continue its work with public health partners and agencies nationwide to reach families and help establish healthy eating habits in children from an early age.

The takeaway

Fresh Baby's selection as one of Michigan's top 50 companies to watch highlights the growing importance of public health-focused brands that take a proactive approach to addressing diet-related chronic diseases through early childhood intervention. The company's mission-driven model, which prioritizes partnerships over traditional retail channels, demonstrates how innovative health solutions can be delivered directly to the communities that need them most.