The concept enables food processors to apply customized, food-grade microorganisms with various functionalities to food, pre-stages of food or to side-stream products. Microorganisms are selected from natural sources and screened for specific purposes such as protecting food against pathogenic bacteria, preventing food from untimely spoilage, or to process food by fermentation. With a specifically designed micro fermenter - CULTIVATOR PRO - we allow food processors to prepare these customized cultures on-site.