Find new markets at the Great Lakes EXPO Meet the Buyers event

Connecting with new buyers and markets for fruit and vegetable growers is made easier through the Meet the Buyers reception at the Great Lakes EXPO December 6.

Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) and other partners will host the 2016 Meet the Buyers reception on Tuesday, December 6 during the Great Lakes EXPO. This event pairs growers with wholesale, retail and institutional buyers with the goal of increasing Michigan product on store shelves and in restaurants, schools, hospitals and institutions. Previous events drew hundreds of attendees and nearly 20 buyers.

Join MIFFS from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Center Concourse of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for an informal reception offering food and drink. Meet the Buyers is open to all and is free of charge to attendees thanks to the generosity of sponsors and buyers.

Producers and buyers are encouraged to visit the MarketMaker table at the Meet the Buyers event to find out how to access markets. MarketMaker is a web-based resource that provides link between producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, farmers’ markets, food service providers and end-consumers within the food supply chain. The site is available to all and is free.

The MarketMaker web site provides a number of features for those looking for potential buyers. Users can use the map and distance tool to search for the growers or marketers of particular crops within a geographical area. Both buyers and sellers can easily create profiles with location, contact information and items to market.

Register your business on MarketMaker, or update your profile for an entry into a drawing for a gas card.

For further details on MarketMaker and for business development in food, agriculture, bio economy and natural resources, contact the Michigan State University Extension Product Center at www.productcenter.msu.edu or 517-432-8750.

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