LANSING, Mich. – Are you ready to fall into some pure Michigan food and agriculture products? Today, more than 60 vendors from all over the state gathered on the east lawn of the Capitol in Lansing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to offer consumers a sample taste of the bounty of the Michigan agriculture harvest.

In recognition of the fall harvest, the Michigan House of Representatives declared September 15, 2011 as “Buy Local, Select Pure Michigan Day” to help celebrate the diversity of the state’s agriculture industry as well as to encourage all citizens to buy fresh local food and support Michigan farmers. House Resolution 128 was sponsored by Representative Kevin Daley (R-Lum), who is also chair of the House Agriculture Committee.

“The proclamation trumpets the tremendous array of fresh, local products available to Michigan consumers and recognizes the role our farming communities plays in bringing those products to our dining tables,” said Keith Creagh, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director. “By spending just $10 at today’s market or at other markets across the state, we keep nearly $40 million circulating within our communities. By continuing to support our local businesses, we will get Michigan back to work.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Michigan ranks third in the nation for the number of farmers markets with more 349 farmers markets located across the state, which is up 30 percent from 2010.

“Today’s fall Farmers Market at the Capitol gave shoppers a great opportunity to come out and support our agricultural community by buying Michigan-grown and processed goods right from farmers and food business owners,” said Elaine Brown, Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) executive director. “By increasing access to Mich­­­igan products at farmers markets that accept Bridge Cards and Double Up Food Bucks, we can help improve public health and reduce obesity for healthier Michigan families and children.”

This market accepted Bridge Cards, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Project FRESH and Market FRESH to ensure that all shoppers had access to fresh, local food. Of Michigan’s farmers markets, 82 are accepting Bridge Cards, increasing local food access in rural and urban areas.

Michigan is the second most diverse state in the nation in agricultural commodities with more than 200 to offer, so shoppers sampled and took home a huge variety of products in their bags and baskets, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, cut flowers and potted plants, spices and herbs, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, meat and fish, cheese, nuts, soap and much more.

This is the sixth year that a farmers market has been held on the Capitol lawn. This market was hosted by MIFFS and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), in partnership with MDARD. Sponsors for the event were Auto-Owners Insurance, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, the C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University (MSU), GreenStone Farm Credit Services, the MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Lansing Community College.

To find a full list of farmers markets in Michigan, visit the MIFMA Web site at www.mifma.org and click “Find a Farmers Market”. To learn more about MIFFS, visit www.miffs.org.

For more information on the “Farmers Markets at the Capitol”, contact Maggie Smith, market coordinator, at 517-432-3381 or smith833@msu.edu.

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