June 17, 2009

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Select Michigan™ Program is seeking Michigan growers and companies to showcase their products during the Select Michigan Farmers Market being held on Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eastern Market in Detroit.

"This is a great location for a farmers market," said Christine Lietzau, MDA's Select Michigan Program Manager. "We are offering 48 vendor spaces to Michigan growers, food processors, food companies, and other food and agriculture businesses which produce and sell products made from Michigan crops. We will be giving priority to specialty crop companies, but non-specialty crops are still encouraged to participate."

The Select Michigan Farmers Market at Eastern Market is being held to promote Michigan fresh and processed crops. This market is sponsored by MDA, Michigan Food & Farming Systems, Eastern Market, and Slow Food Detroit with funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, as well as additional support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association.

There will also be several additional booth spaces available for non-profit organizations who promote the benefits of eating and buying local. The deadline for reserving booth space is Friday, July 10, 2009.

Vendor information and application can be either downloaded from the Select Michigan website at www.selectmichigan.org ( http://www.selectmichigan.org/ ) or by contacting Erin Groeb at 517/373-2469 or groebe@michigan.gov .

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