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“Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” brings local food to Capitol lawn

September 24, 2007 : EAST LANSING, MI – Nearly 50 Michigan farmers and vendors set up their tents, tables and products on the east lawn of the Capitol to celebrate a special farmers’ market for the third annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” on September 13, 2007.

The colors, scents and energy of Michigan’s September harvest overwhelmed the area around the Capitol building as growers from all over the state gathered there, selling their Michigan-grown and produced products. Consumers at the farmers’ market could meet with their local farmers and select from a wide array of products, including: fresh veggies and salad greens, onions, garlic, pumpkins, gourds, grapes, raspberries, apples, pears, cut or potted flowers and plants, honey, maple syrup, spices, herbs, wool products, baked goods, jams and jellies, relishes and sauces and more.

“We’ve been building momentum each year with ‘Select Michigan Day,’ and this is the largest market we’ve had yet,” said Elaine Brown, executive director of Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS). “It’s really a great opportunity to connect farmers and consumers and experience the benefits of locally-grown food.”

The farmers’ market, co-hosted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Select Michigan Program and the Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), with funding from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, and additional support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Each partner connects Michigan farmers to their state community and raises awareness and enthusiasm for local food and Michigan agriculture.

Michigan agriculture, especially now at the peak of many harvests, has much more to offer than some would think. Michigan grows more than 200 agricultural commodities, generating $60.1 billion yearly and making it the second-most diverse state in the nation in agricultural production. Purchasing locally-grown products not only delivers more taste and freshness than other produce, which may have traveled 1,500 miles to get to your plate, but also helps strengthen local farmers, communities and economy. In fact, if every Michigan household spent just $10 per week on Michigan-produced food, it would generate nearly $40 million each and every week.

And at this market, customers spent much more than that! On average, customers spent $20.12 per person of the 251 who participated in Select Michigan dot survey, according to Jeanne Lipe, who works with the Select Michigan program for MDA. In fact, about 30% of those surveyed spent more than $25 at the farmers market, leaving with arms full of fresh food and flowers.

The Michigan Farmers Market Association offers a comprehensive list of farmers’ markets around the state on their Web site at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu. Visit them today to find local markets in your community. The Michigan Department of Agriculture also lists community farmers’ markets, local on-farm markets and u-pick establishments at www.michigan.gov/mda-upick.

This event was the final celebration of four special farmers’ markets planned for this year promoting the benefits of local food. Special markets were also held July 12 on the Capitol lawn in Lansing; August 22 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit; and August 22-September 3, during the 13 days of the Michigan State Fair, at the fairgrounds in Detroit. For more information about the upcoming special farmers’ markets, visit www.miffs.org.

For more information about the "Select Michigan Day", click here!