May 2, 2008

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) invites consumers to Select Michigan for a perfect Mother’s Day. What better way to let Mom know you appreciate all she does than a delicious Mother’s Day brunch? And what makes a Mother’s Day brunch delicious? Why, delicious ingredients grown and processed right here in Michigan! To make the day even better for Mom, complement brunch with a Michigan-made gift or hanging flowering basket.

MDA’s Select Michigan Program offers this simple, delicious Mother’s Day menu to start the day off right: Michigan Asparagus Fritatta, paired with either Michigan Applesauce Gingerbread or Michigan Cherry Pecan Sticky Buns, and served with fresh Michigan milk and a cool glass of Michigan apple juice, grape juice, or sparkling wine.

“Michigan asparagus is our state’s first fresh crop of the growing season, and is available, hand-picked at the peak of perfection, just in time for Mother’s Day,” said MDA Director Don Koivisto. “The flavor of fresh asparagus can’t be beat, especially when combined with Michigan eggs and cheese.”

In addition to a delicious Mother’s Day brunch, don’t forget other Michigan-made and grown gifts for Mom, like hanging flowering baskets, Michigan specialty cheeses and chocolates or Michigan wines. Many Michigan specialty food companies, farm markets, and retail stores offer gift baskets filled with the bounty of the state from fine wines, jams and jellies, fresh apples, and dipping oils, to spice mixes, honey, pancake mix, maple syrup, dried cherries, and so much more.

Michigan produces 200 agricultural products on a commercial basis, all of which are part of the state’s annual $63.7 billion agriculture industry. Michigan’s floriculture and nursery industry is valued at about $609 million annually, and the state leads the nation in the production of 13 floriculture products, including flowering hanging baskets, geraniums, petunias, potted peonies, and impatiens.

Purchasing local food and agriculture products throughout the year has a huge impact on the state’s economy. In fact, for every dollar spent locally, three to seven different local businesses are impacted before that dollar leaves the local economy. If every household spends just $10 per week of their current grocery budget on local foods, it would keep more than $37 million circulating weekly within Michigan.

For more information about the Select Michigan program or a listing of Michigan specialty food companies, visit www.selectmichigan.org.