April 28, 2008

NOVI, Mich. - Michigan food companies are primed to showcase their products to grocery retailers, specialty food stores, and other food purchasers at the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers, Inc. (AFPD) Annual Trade Show, April 28-29, 2008, at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. Ten Michigan companies will participate in a special “Select Michigan Pavilion” at the show, hosted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Select Michigan Program.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to highlight the quality and diversity of Michigan’s food and agriculture industry at this show, while assisting AFPD members in making connections with Michigan companies to offer more Michigan products for sale in their stores,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Don Koivisto. “Forming partnerships, such as this one with the AFPD, that help connect sellers with the producers of Michigan food and agriculture products is exactly what the Select Michigan Program was designed to do.”

The AFPD Annual Trade Show is a selling trade show attracting buyers from convenience stores, supermarkets, specialty stores, drug stores, bars, restaurants, and service stations featuring two days with 10 hours of uninterrupted selling.

Companies participating in the Select Michigan Pavilion include: Six Lugs LLC, Interlochen; Nicky’s Family Recipes, Sterling Heights; Mountain Man Products, Auburn Hills; Peterson Farms, Shelby; Cherry Bay Orchards, Traverse City; Safie Specialty Foods Co., Mount Clemens; Serra Cheese Co., Clinton Township; Sleeping Bear Farms, Beulah; St. Julian Wine Co., Paw Paw; and Heeren Brothers Produce, Grand Rapids.

Show hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday, April 28; and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 29. For more information about the AFPD Show, and the Select Michigan Pavilion, contact Jeanne Lipe at 517-373-9790, or lipej@michigan.gov; or visit www.afdom.org.

For more information about MDA’s Select Michigan Program, visit www.SelectMichigan.org, or contact Christine Lietzau at 517-373-9800 or lietzauc@michigan.gov.