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September 13, 2007 named 3rd annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day”

June 25 , 2007 : EAST LANSING, Mich. – September 13, 2007 has officially been named the 3rd annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” by the Michigan legislature, and events are popping up all over the state this summer and fall to celebrate.

Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) is partnering again with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) in the Select Michigan campaign, and now the Michigan Farmers’ Market Association (MIFMA) and the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) have joined in the effort to spread the word about the many benefits of local food and connecting farmers and consumers.

With Michigan produce ripening all over the state, the Select Michigan program is in full swing, promoting local food and Michigan products all over the state, from farmers’ markets and farm stands to grocery store shelves. “Select Michigan Day” has gained tremendous momentum over the past three years as more consumers are realizing the taste, health and economic benefits of buying local products.

Michigan grows more than 200 agricultural commodities, making it the second-most diverse state in the nation and contributing over $60.1 billion in economic activity to our state. By buying local food, consumers get a fresher, tastier product that is grown in their own state, and they keeps money circulating in their own communities.

With rising awareness and increasing demand for local food, more communities are getting involved to start celebrating “Select Michigan” in their own ways, from highlighting farmers’ markets to hosting activities in hospitals and schools with Michigan-grown foods.

The list of events is constantly growing, but the main attractions so far this year include several farmers’ markets in Lansing and Detroit. All farmers with Michigan-grown products are invited to take part.

• September 13, 2007 is the third annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” with another farmers’ market on the Capitol lawn. Farmers and vendors from all over the state will be selling Michigan-grown and processed products, from apples to honey to fresh flowers.
• The Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit will also have a farmers’ market on August 22, featuring local food and jazz music where they expect 3,000 people to join the celebration.
• July 12 is “Buy Local Day” at the Capitol and will feature a farmers’ market on the Capitol lawn as well.
• The Michigan State Fair Blue Ribbon Farmers’ Market in Detroit spans from August 22 – September 3 and features all Michigan-grown foods and products.

The Michigan Harvest Gathering is planning its annual kick-off to coincide with September 13, and the FBCM will have a mobile pantry at the Capitol to highlight the work they do in statewide leadership to food banks to alleviate the hunger of Michigan families. MDA is also working to have the week of September 9 – 15 declared “Select Michigan Week.”

For more information about the Select Michigan program, visit www.michigan.gov/mda. To check out a list of events and participating communities this year or read about previous years’ events, visit www.miffs.org.

Read about last year's events!