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New Food Markets Expanding to Michigan – Farmers can Increase their Marketing Opportunities with Food Alliance

Farmers have opportunity to provide customers the sustainably grown products they want. Area farmers, food processors, wholesalers, and food retailers are invited to attend one of two meetings featuring Food Alliance Midwest, a non-profit farm certification organization.

These free informational meetings will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2005. The morning meeting will be held at the Walker Fire Station, west of Grand Rapids at 1470 Three Mile Rd., 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. The second meeting will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the MSU Extension office, 801 Hazen Street, Paw, Paw, Michigan.

Food Alliance Midwest (FAM) is widely recognized as being one of the nation’s leading certification programs for environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural products. Bob Olson, Business Development Manager for Food Alliance Midwest said, “We are exploring opportunities to expand our services to farmers in Michigan this year. Our farmer certification and promotional programs will offer Michigan consumer s a food choice that is becoming increasingly appeal”. Food Alliance has a track record of creating added-value and recognition for producers.

The FAM program recognizes farmers who produce food in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways through third-party certification. FAM certified farmers meet strict standards related to use of pesticides, soil and water conservation, wildlife habitat conservation, and safe and fair working conditions.

Michigan Food & Farming Systems-MIFFS and the West Michigan Forum for Sustainable Agriculture are co-sponsors of the Food Alliance Midwest informational meeting in Michigan. For more information contact Jim Krenek – MIFFS at 517/449-4469 or Tom Cary – WMFSA at 616/451-3051.

Michigan Food & Farming Systems – MIFFS
Founded in 1998, Michigan Food & Farming Systems is a state-wide 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.