In celebration of Michigan's rich agricultural history and farming tradition, I have designated September 13-19 "Select Michigan Week." In celebration of this special week, I am personally inviting you to the "Select Michigan" Farmers' Market on Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., which will be located on the east lawn of the State Capitol, rain or shine.
You can purchase fresh seasonal produce, including eggs, honey, grains, beans, jams, jellies, cut flowers, perennials, baked goods, wood products, and much, much more - all grown and processed in our state. If you can't attend the "Select Michigan" Farmer's Market on September 17, there are hundreds of farmers' markets in communities throughout the state where you can buy fresh produce and other items made in Michigan. By spending just $10 a week on Michigan products, we can keep nearly $40 million circulating in our economy each week. And, that's not small change.
Thursday's market coincides with Michigan's annual "Select Michigan Day," designated by the Michigan Legislature to raise awareness about local food and agriculture - Michigan's second largest industry. More than 200 commodities are grown in Michigan, contributing $71.3 billion to our state's economy annually and employing more than one million Michigan residents.
September 17 also kicks off the 2009 Michigan Harvest Gathering. In addition to purchasing Michigan foods for ourselves and our families, we can buy fresh, local products and also give local by contributing Michigan foods to local food banks. In doing so, we are helping our neighbors-in-need by providing them with fresh, local, healthy food. The Food Bank Council of Michigan will be on-site at the Select Michigan Farmers' Market, and I encourage you to make a purchase at the market and donate directly to the food bank.
Selecting Michigan-grown and Michigan-processed foods helps our economy, strengthens Michigan's family farms, improves the quality of life for our citizens in both rural and urban areas, and preserves the state's rich and diverse agricultural heritage.
Locally-grown food is fresher and supports Michigan's local communities by improving the economic, environmental, and social well-being of those communities and the state.
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 crop producers. If you have any questions, please contact Erin Groeb, Michigan Department of Agriculture at (517) 373-2469.
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