Michigan apples now in State buildings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denise Yockey
(800) 456-2753
(Lansing, Mich.) – Select Michigan, Michigan Apple Committee and the Michigan Commission for the Blind Business Enterprise Program are teaming up to bring Michigan-grown apples to about two dozen government buildings in and around the State Capitol.
During a news conference Thursday to announce the new partnership, State Representative Paul E. Opsommer (DeWitt), whose mid-Michigan district includes the MAC office and a handful of apple orchards, applauded the efforts of the groups to provide healthy, homegrown snacks and support the Michigan family farm.
“This program not only highlights cooperation between organizations, but also promotes healthful eating habits and supports Michigan's apple industry,” said Opsommer.
Michigan Commission for the Blind Business Enterprise Program Manager Constance Zanger said her organization appreciates the farmers' work and the quality produce they deliver.
“Our stands and cafeterias, which serve thousand of customers every week, including government employees as well as the general public, are making a commitment to the growers of Michigan by beginning to stock Michigan-grown apples,” she said. “We are featuring healthy produce, and our entrepreneurs believe it is important to support local growers.”
Michigan Apple Committee Executive Director Denise Yockey added, “On behalf of Michigan's 1,000 family apple growers, we appreciate this unique opportunity to put Michigan apples on the plates and desks of Michigan's key policy-makers.”
Mitch Irwin, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture which oversees the Select Michigan program, said the partnership has not only healthful benefits, but economic ones as well.
“Selecting Michigan's high quality food products directly supports our hardworking farmers and the state's growing agriculture industry. In fact, if every household spent just $10 a week on locally-grown food, it would generate nearly $40 million.”
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.