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Visit the Capitol July 24, 2008 for Fresh, Local Food at a Special Select Michigan Farmers Market

July 21, 2008: See what Michigan agriculture has to offer and what’s in season at this week’s special “Buy Local, Buy Fresh – Select Michigan” farmers market on the east lawn of our State Capitol on Thursday, July 24, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Check out the flyer...

“The fourth annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” on September 18, 2008 just isn’t enough to get fresh, local food on tables everywhere, so this special farmers market, during the peak of summer harvest, will show shoppers how much Michigan farmers can produce,” said Elaine Brown, executive director of Michigan Food and Farming Systems – MIFFS, who is co-sponsoring this day with the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Fifty local farmers and specialty food producers from across Michigan are gathering at the Capitol to offer their locally grown, processed and manufactured products for sale.  Get fruits and vegetables picked fresh from the field and orchard, eggs, honey, wool products, grains, beans, jams, jellies, baked goods, lamb, Lake Superior whitefish, flowers, plants, specialty foods, and much more to fill your bag or basket and take home.

Michigan is the second-most diverse state in agricultural production in the nation, behind California, offering more than 200 different agricultural products.  That diversity makes agriculture one of the strongest industries in the state, and its growing all the time.

Buying local food means getting fresher foods that support local farmers and the economy.  If every Michigan household spent just $10 per week on Michigan-produced food, it would generate nearly $40 million each and every week.  And shopping at farmers markets means connecting with the farmers who produced your food in your own community.

For more information about this event or local food, contact MIFFS at (517) 432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu.  You can visit us online at www.miffs.org/selectmich/selectmich.asp to learn more about “Select Michigan Day” and activities around the state.  Or visit www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu to find a farmers market where you live.

The farmers market is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, with additional support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Michigan farmers and specialty food producers.

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Founded in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems that improve economic, ecological and social well-being.  MIFFS has been effective at establishing successful partnerships among producers, markets and institutions that have created more profitable, environmentally friendly food systems in Michigan.    

The organization’s vision is based on the premise that agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other for the benefit of Michigan’s rural and urban communities.  To learn more, please visit www.miffs.org or call (517) 432-0712.