Abstract: Microorganisms are stored for long periods of time in storage mediums which preferably contain a sufficiently high concentration of nutrients and growth inhibiting substances to maintain microorganisms, such as bacteria, in the stationary or death phase of their growth cycle. Upon dilution of the growth medium, the concentration of the inhibiting substances is lowered below that inhibiting the growth of the microorganisms, while sufficient nutrients remain to allow for the number of microorganisms to rapidly increase. In a preferred embodiment, the growth medium contains between 10% and 30% solids which are the waste products of a food or fermentation process, and the microorganisms are lactobacillus plantarum or bacillus subtilis.