Oct 28, 2009

Great Lakes EXPO to host MarketMaker Program

MarketMaker is an interactive Web site designed to connect food producers, distributors, buyers and sellers. It was introduced in Michigan in early 2008 by the Michigan State University Product Center. MarketMaker includes 12 states plus the District of Columbia, with three more states scheduled to come on-line in the near future.

MarketMaker representatives will be at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo on Dec. 9 and 10 (Wednesday and Thursday) to investigate how the program can impact the sales of food products. Whether you are currently registered as a MarketMaker producer, processor, distributor, wholesaler, retailer or restaurant, or you just want to learn more about MarketMaker, you will want to visit the River Overlook Room E in the DeVos Center at 11 a.m. Dec. 9 or 10.

The program will run from 11 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided during the program for those who have registered for the session. You do not have to be from Michigan to participate. To register, e-mail Tom Kalchik at [email protected] or call 517-432-8752.

Product center representatives will be available at other times during the two days, in the same room, to assist anyone who is interested in learning more about MarketMaker and to help businesses register on the Web site. There are no charges or fees for registering or using the MarketMaker site.

The MSU Product Center, along with several industry partners, introduced MarketMaker in Michigan to help Michigan’s $71.3 billion agri-food industry capitalize on the consumer trend of seeking locally produced products. Large and small players in the agri-food system (farmers, packers, processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and restaurants) can benefit from this trend, and MarketMaker can facilitate the connections in the supply chain.

For more information about MarketMaker, Click here.

You can also call Kalchik or Getachew Abate at 517-355-0337. For more information about the MSU Product Center, e-mail [email protected], or call 517-432-8750.