Issue 2, 2008
In this Issue:

U.S. Food Export Showcase

For the first time in over ten years, the U.S. Food Export Showcase (USFES) was not held in conjunction with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Show.  The 2008 USFES show was co-located with the All Things Organic and the Spring Fancy Food Show in the newly named Global Food & Style Expo, April 27-29, 2008, in Chicago, IL.

The attendance at the Global Food & Style Expo was lighter than the FMI Show but the quality of the buyers was very high.  Food Export Association provided a pavilion for Midwest and Northeast companies with a complete booth package.  Food Export’s international marketing representatives were also on hand to talk one-on-one with companies during the show about export opportunities in their markets. 

Companies participating in the Michigan Pavilion included:   Graceland Fruit, Frankfort (dried fruits & vegetables); and Honey Tree, Onsted (honey products).  The companies had projected domestic sales of $220,000 and export sales of $187,500. 

NRA Show Provides Great Opportunities to Michigan Companies

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show held May 16-19, 2008, in Chicago, provided a great opportunity for Michigan companies to showcase their products to domestic and international buyers.  Four Michigan companies exhibited in the Michigan Pavilion in the American Food Fair Showcase.  The companies exhibiting included: Flatout Flatbread, Saline (flatbread); Cole’s Quality Foods, Inc., Grand Rapids (cheese & pizza sticks); Shoreline Fruit, Inc., Traverse City (dried fruit); and Zeeland Food Service, Zeeland (food grade soybean oil).

Market Builder Program Promotion

If you are looking to break into a new international market, Food Export–Midwest’s Market Builder Program can help! Through August 31, Food Export–Midwest is offering a Market Builder promotion. You will receive 25% off a first Market Builder service and 50% off additional services. Market Builder is offered in 18 markets around the world, and both retail and ingredient suppliers can take advantage of one or both components of Market Builder.

MarketScan is now only $300 and offers companies a detailed, inside view of the market. Services include: a store check & distribution analysis, competitive product shopping, importation analysis, distributor referrals, and a targeted importer list. MarketScan is a great way to begin exporting in a new market.

RepFinder is currently discounted from $500 to only $375 and is valuable in providing insight into the product’s marketability with importers and distributors. Importers provide detailed feedback on the product, and a list of target importers is provided. Exporters can decide to schedule one-on-one appointments with the provided referrals. The Market Builder Package includes both MarketScan and RepFinder and is only $563 through August 31, 2008.

Focused Trade Mission to Taiwan for Bakery Ingredients & Processed Fruits

The Food Export Association of the Midwest is providing an excellent opportunity for producers of bakery ingredients and processed fruits to participate in a Focused Trade Mission to Taiwan. Companies will have the opportunity to establish sales leads in one-on-one meetings with buyers and will also gain first-hand knowledge by traveling to the market. Services included in the Trade Mission include:

• Import analysis and competitive score for one product
• In-market seminar on the Taiwanese market and label regulations
• Guided tours of manufacturing facilities
• Guaranteed meetings with key buyers and a table-top showcase for potential customers
• Company profile in Taiwanese Trade Mission promotional brochure to be widely disseminated throughout the region
• Interpreters
• An educational seminar of your product for the Taiwanese local trade

Food Labeling Workshop July 23-24, 2008 Lansing, Michigan

The Institute for Food Laws & Regulations (IFLR) at Michigan State University will present a Food Labeling Workshop on July 23-24, 2008, at The James B. Henry Center for Executive Development adjacent to the MSU campus in East Lansing. 

This workshop is designed for food industry personnel and regulatory officials who are responsible for reviewing food labels and labeling for compliance with state and U.S. federal law. Those involved with label development or review will find the course of invaluable interest. Trade association staff, food consultants, and attorneys will also find this program valuable.

Topics to be covered in the workshop include the latest information on food allergen labeling, requirements for principal and information panels, ingredient statements, nutritional labeling, nutrient content claims, and health messages along with practical issues in food labeling regulation. The workshop format will also allow time for questions and a hands-on review of label problems.

The mission of the Institute for Food Laws and Regulations is to further the education of food laws and regulations. In addition to the Food Labeling Workshop, the Institute offers the International Food Law Distance Education Certificate Program with nine courses to choose from, including the International Food Laws and Regulations overview course and courses on Food Regulation in the United States, Canada, Latin America, European Union, Asia and Codex Alimentarius (the Food Code), OIE (animals) and IPPC (plants).

Through the generosity of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Michigan food industry, a number of tuition scholarships are available.  More information about the scholarship opportunities and the Food Labeling Workshop can be found at www.iflr.msu.edu/label.html, by calling 517-355-8295, or e-mailing IFLR@msu.edu.

Lead Instructor: Neal Fortin, Director of the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, assistant professor in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and adjunct professor of law at the MSU College of Law.  Fortin’s law practice experience concentrated on food law, labeling, ingredient evaluation, advertising, legislation, and administrative law. Professor Fortin also has 20 years of experience in food regulatory work with the State of Michigan, including being the primary drafter of the Michigan Food Law of 2000.  He has trained more than 1,500 people on the labeling law.

Other Instructors:

• Beatrice Greenberg, Food Labeling and Standards Staff, Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Ms. Beatrice Greenberg is currently the Supervisor of the Labeling Regulations Implementation Team.
• Michael T. Roberts is a prolific and respected author, lecturer, and commentator, both nationally and internationally, on matters relating to food and agricultural law and policy. He has taught food and agricultural law topics in the U.S., England, Belgium, China, and Romania.
• Gerald Wojtala manages the food protection programs in the State of Michigan as the Deputy Director of the Food & Dairy Division at the Michigan Department of Agriculture. He is currently the President of the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO).

Gold Medal Wine Reception August 7, 2008 – 5-8 pm, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing

On August 5, 24 wine experts will meet at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing to swirl, sniff, sip and spit their way through nearly 400 entries at the 31st annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition.  A public reception honoring the top medal winners will take place Aug. 7, from 5-8 p.m. at the Kellogg Center.

Be among the first to try winning wines from the 2008 competition. This is a great opportunity to taste the breadth of quality from Michigan’s vineyards. Many winning winemakers and owners will be on hand to discuss their wines and share a glass with attendees.

Best of Class wines will be paired with foods prepared by the Kellogg Center’s chefs. Other double gold, gold and silver medal wines will be available for sampling, along with a generous array of culinary treats.
Tickets may be purchased for $40 each by calling the Kellogg Center at 517-432-4000.  Check www.michiganwines.com for details, or contact the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council at 517-241-4468.

Select Michigan Program Promotes Buying locally at Three Farmers’ Markets This Summer

With the fresh fruit and vegetable growing season in full swing, the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Select Michigan Program and Michigan Food & Farming Systems, will host three special farmers’ markets this summer to promote and build awareness of the benefits of buying locally grown and processed food and agriculture products.

The markets will be funded in part by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, with in-kind support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the Food Bank Council of Michigan.  The three markets include:

• July 24, 2008 - “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan” Farmers’ Market, State Capitol lawn, Lansing
• August 22, 2008 - Select Michigan Farmers' Market, Henry Ford Hospital, Grand Boulevard Campus, Detroit
• September 18, 2008 - Select Michigan Day Farmers' Market, State Capitol lawn, Lansing

“These special farmers’ markets will not only highlight the state’s specialty crops, but also promote the importance of purchasing locally grown and processed Michigan food and agricultural products,” said MDA Director Don Koivisto. “Consumers who buy locally get a tastier product grown in their own state and keeps money circulating in their communities.”

Farmers interested in selling their products at these special farmers’ markets can contact Jeanne Lipe, MDA Marketing Specialist, at 517-373-9790 or lipej@michigan.gov

“Buy Local, Eat Fresh” Campaign Kicks Off in Detroit

The Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s “Select Michigan” program want to make fresh, local Michigan produce more readily available to Metro Detroit urban residents.  To this end, they are launching a program called “Buy Local, Eat Fresh.”

“We have found that residents in some urban areas do not choose to include fresh Michigan produce in their diet as often as people in other parts of the state,” said Jane Shallal, AFPD president.  “The ‘Buy Local, Eat Fresh’ campaign aims to change that.”  Shallal said that there are numerous factors that contribute to this, including; the lack of education regarding the nutritional benefits of local produce, the availability of these foods in some urban neighborhoods, and the cost of fresh foods. “‘Buy Local, Eat Fresh’ addresses these problems at all levels,” she added.

“The program will create a sustainable distribution system connecting Michigan farmers and food producers with wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and communities in one Pontiac and nine Detroit neighborhoods, thereby increasing access to fresh Michigan produce and promoting long-term social, environmental, health, and economic benefits,” said Don Koivisto, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture.  “The first step in creating the system is to create a demand for Michigan produce through an in-store “branding” program that includes signage, tastings and nutritional information.”

“Buy Local, Eat Fresh” focuses on promoting healthy eating habits and teaches consumers the health benefits of eating fresh, locally grown food through nutrition education.  On the first two Saturdays of every month, from July through November, nutritionists from the City of Detroit Department of Health & Wellness and Wayne State University’s Nutrition and Food Science Program will be at ten grocery stores located in the targeted communities.  Products will be available to sample, as the nutritionists provide information on the benefits of eating local produce, recipes, food preparation, and menu planning.

“Ultimately, the program seeks a ten percent increase in the sale of Michigan-grown or produced foods over the ten targeted neighborhoods,” said Shallal. In addition to the AFPD and the Michigan Department of Agriculture, other “Buy Local, Eat Fresh” collaborators include Spartan Stores, Inc., Save-A-Lot Distributors, Wayne State University Nutrition and Food Science Program, and the City of Detroit Department of Health and Wellness.

The 10 independently owned neighborhood grocery stores that are participating in the program are:

• Conner Creek Industrial Save-A-Lot, 4703 Conner, Detroit, 48213
• Elmwood Park Family Fair, 700 Chene St., Detroit 48207
• Fitzgerald Save-A-Lot, 13750 Fenkell, Detroit 48227
• Hamtramck Krown Supermarket, 5800 Caniff, Detroit, 48212
• Jefferson-Chalmers Parkway Foods, 13210 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48215
• McDougall-Hunt Save-A-Lot, 3681 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207
• Pontiac Save-A-Lot, 1249 Baldwin, Pontiac, 48340
• Pulaski Pick ’N Save, 7404 E. 7 Mile, Detroit 48234
• Ravendale Save-A-Lot, 15001 Houston-Whittier, Detroit 48205
• Southwest Detroit Farmers Food Center, 2411 Central Ave. Detroit, 48209

Ag Innovation (Julian-Stille) Grantee Success Stories

Seafood Systems, Inc., located in Okemos, had objectives to develop an automated feeding system, aeration in the production tanks, and improved water filtration in the production tank system.  A completely new water treatment system was designed, constructed, and is in operation in all phases of the system, including: maturation, larval rearing, nursery, and production.  The production system requires post larval shrimp to be available on a year-round basis.  To date, no hatchery in the U.S. has been in production 12 months a year.  Seafood Systems, Inc. is now positioned to move ahead with a commercial project in Michigan for production of marine shrimp.  The two most significant achievements of the project were the successful development of an automated feeding system and the advances made for economical water treatment.  Both of these developments are cutting edge technology for the world of aquaculture and provide key links to the establishment of a viable marine shrimp farming business in Michigan.  Seafood Systems created three new jobs and new capital investment of $256,672.

Entente Spirits, LLC, located in Baroda (Round Barn Winery) established a project to purchase and install a rectification column to increase processing capacity of “micro-distilled” vodka and brandy using fruit from Southwest Michigan.  Maintaining high quality standards was an important objective of the project.  Round Barn has vinified and distilled 150 tons of grapes and apples over the past two years, with continued growth anticipated.  Sales growth of Divine Brandy has exceeded that of any other product introduced by the company in the past 15 years.  Round Barn also offered brandy making classes in addition to their annual wine making classes, with over 200 people attending the classes in fall 2007.  Entente Sprits created three new jobs with new capital investment of $114,974.

Graceland Fruit, Inc., located in Frankfort, proposed to design and install a proprietary juice extraction system for the purpose of launching a new fruit juice concentrate product line. This new process is significantly different and the new technology will allow them to create two products: infused dried products and juice concentrates. The fruits being used are red tart cherries, cultivated blueberries, wild blueberries, and cranberries.  Markets currently exist for both red tart cherry and blueberry concentrate products, which are used in beverages, sauces, salsas, fillings, and confectionary products.  Total new capital investment for this project is $ 1,221,261.

Michigan Sugar Co., located in Bay City, proposed to purchase and install ventilation systems.  The overall goal of the project is to increase the quality of sugar beets by improving long term storage conditions.  Improving storage conditions allows for capturing an average of 18 pounds of sugar per ton of sugar beets that would otherwise be lost to respiration, degradation, and spoilage.  As a result of the project, sugar beet quality was improved and an average of 28.5 pounds of sugar per ton of sugar beets was captured that would have been lost.  The project generated an additional $2.27 million in direct revenue in the 2007/2008 processing campaign for sugar beet growers. The project contributed $5.68 million in economic activity for the Thumb and Saginaw Bay area of Michigan.  Michigan Sugar created 18 new part-time jobs and had total new capital investment of $2,897,328.

For more information on other success stories, check out the Julian-Stille's Grantee Success Stories page.

Renewable Fuels Commission Tackles Food Vs. Fuel Debate: Need for supply and production inventory, challenges discussed

The Renewable Fuels Commission (RFC) tackled factors impacting the current food versus fuel debate as it outlined Michigan’s roadmap for the development of sustainable fuel sources and identified challenges, during its recent meeting.

The RFC outlined issues related to the expansion of bio-based fuels, including the need to take stock of Michigan’s supply and production chains to determine the long-term sustainability of those fuels.

“The production and supply inventory underscores the need to see where we’ve been and where we are in order to help pave the way for the future of biofuels in Michigan,” said Don Koivisto, Michigan Department of Agriculture director and RFC chair. “Creating a baseline will help us evaluate the long-term sustainability of present and post-corn ethanol while utilizing our vast natural resources to advance other biofuel technologies such as cellulosic ethanol, which is made from non-food feed stocks.”

At the forefront of the sustainable fuel discussion is the impact that biofuels may be having on the rising cost of food in the U.S.

“Having both food and fuel are possible, but it hinges on the resolution of several critical issues, such as continued global population growth and subsequent diet transformation; the capacity of the agri-business sector to improve its productivity; water and land use; and carbon impact,” said Dr. Chris Peterson, director, Michigan State University Product Center. “The fact that Michigan has a Renewable Fuels Commission dedicated to tackling these tough issues offers tremendous opportunity.”

The RFC heard a presentation by Dr. Peterson discussing impacts on food prices. Ethanol production is only one of many contributing factors to higher food prices. Other factors include, but aren’t limited to, skyrocketing fuel costs (especially since food has to travel further to get onto store shelves), increased food demand due to population and income growth, worldwide weather conditions, and dwindling carryover stock of agricultural commodities.

Two key factors impacting food costs are the growing middle class in China and India, who are able to afford more protein in their diets, including more meat and milk, which adds to the demand for feed; and the declining value of the U.S. dollar. The fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar create a two-fold issue:  creating a larger worldwide demand for U.S. exports while simultaneously making food and fuel imports more expensive. The U.S. now spends $1.4 billion a day on imported oil.

“As a leader in the development of renewable fuels, Michigan is dedicated to creating a long-term roadmap for growing this industry,” said Koivisto. “Additionally, taking a measured approach is critical to helping biofuels live up to their reputation to expand the state’s agri-business sector, break our reliance on foreign oil, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.”

Agriculture Development Division 2007 Annual Report

Welcome Christina!

The Agriculture Development Division would like to welcome Christina Howe. Christina is a senior at Michigan State University studying International Relations. Her specific research interest is women’s and children’s issues in Southeast Asia. Her future career goals include law school and work with a non-profit human rights agency. Prior to beginning work in AgD, Christina was an intern in the State Senate and worked for two years with the Boy Scouts of America hosting after school programs for underprivileged children in the greater Lansing area.

Christina has been a student assistant with the Grape & Wine Program since January. She will also work with the International Marketing Program assisting small to medium-sized Michigan companies looking to expand or begin exporting. Christina will work with both programs through the summer months and will continue with the International Marketing Program during the coming school year.

International Promotion Calendar

In the past we've offered a listing of upcoming events in a small calendar. In an effort to offer you more comprehensive information we are now providing a link to an upcoming events page, which in turn offers links to individual event information.

• Upcoming Events: Trade Shows, Buyers' Missions and Food Show Plus! Services Information

Contact Information