Reps. Hansen, Barnett, Bauer, Terry Brown, Byrnes, Caul, Constan, Crawford, Dean, Geiss, Gonzales, Green, Haase, Haines, Haugh, Haveman, Rick Jones, Knollenberg, Kurtz, Lahti, LeBlanc, Lipton, Lund, Neumann, Opsommer, Polidori, Proos, Rogers, Wayne Schmidt, Spade, Switalski, Tyler, Valentine, Clemente, Durhal, Griffin, Huckleberry, Kandrevas, Scripps and Ball offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 157.

A resolution proclaiming September 17, 2009, as Buy Local – Select Michigan Day.

Whereas, If every household spent $10 per week of their current grocery budget on locally grown and produced foods, it would keep almost $37 million weekly or $2 billion yearly working for Michigan’s economy; and

Whereas, Michigan farmers produce more than 200 agricultural commodities. This makes Michigan the second-most agriculturally diverse state in the nation; and

Whereas, Michigan agri-food industry contributes $71.3 billion to the state’s economy annually. It is the second-largest industry in the state; and

Whereas, The rise in consumer demand for fresh, local food has more than doubled the number of farmers markets in the state in less than a decade, from only 90 in 2001 to more than 200 today; and

Whereas, Retailers, wholesalers and restaurants are working with Michigan growers to offer more locally-grown products on their tables and store shelves to meet that rising demand for local food; and

Whereas, Buying locally connects consumers and farmers. It allows consumers to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown; and

Whereas, Buying food that is grown and produced in Michigan delivers a fresher product to consumers and supports family farms, agri-businesses, rural and urban communities and the local economy; and

Whereas, A special day and farmers market celebration, sponsored by Michigan Food and Farming Systems and the Michigan Department of Agriculture with support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the Food Bank Council of Michigan, has been set aside to celebrate Michigan farmers and local food; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body proclaim September 17, 2009, as Buy Local – Select Michigan Day and encourage all citizens to buy fresh, local food and support Michigan farmers.