By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — A new initiative is connecting two of Michigan’s largest industries in an effort to increase sales and profitability for the state’s specialty crop producers.

Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) will help develop the Michigan Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with the Michigan Restaurant Assoc. and Travel Michigan to increase menu offerings of local products at restaurants throughout the state and to promote culinary tourism. The project is funded by a $24,000 grant from the USDA, with matching funds provided by MDA’s Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.

The initiative is expected to benefit specialty crop producers by assisting them in finding new markets for their products within the Michigan restaurant community.

“By publicizing culinary tourism offerings in Michigan, more restaurants will be encouraged to devote more attention to featuring local foods and wine on their menus, to achieve greater consumer popularity and positive media attention,” the grant proposal stated. “These activities will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by developing new markets and expanding existing ones.”

“With agriculture and tourism as the state’s second and third largest industries, it makes sense to promote Michigan as a rewarding travel destination for educational, healthy and tasty food experiences,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Don Koivisto, who also serves as director of the state’s Grape and Wine Industry Council.

“The food and agriculture industry continues to grow even in today’s economy, and the economic development boost the state could see from this type of collaboration will be significant,” Koivisto said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to create increased business for the state’s specialty crop producers.”

Michigan Restaurant Assoc. President Rob Gifford said the grant funding will help enhance the restaurant and agricultural industries.
“We are excited to be a part of this project as many of our members are already actively supporting local producers and offering a unique Michigan experience when people dine,” Gifford said. “With the coordinated efforts provided through this grant, we will expand these experiences and help make Michigan known as a travel destination, allowing consumers a chance to fully experience the bounty of our great state.”

Linda Jones, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council program manager, will coordinate the work of the Alliance and oversee the federal grant agreement.

“The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council is thrilled to be a part of this innovative partnership to offer visitors a taste of what Michigan has to offer,” Jones said. “From fine wines and craft beers to apple cider, maple syrup and dried cherries, blueberries and cranberries, Michigan menus are of great interest to residents and visitors alike.”

According to the Travel Industry Assoc. (TIA), culinary tourism is a growing travel trend. Many other states and regions of the world are actively developing and promoting culinary tourism. In addition, research and policy development activities in the MDA in recent years have indicated that wine and food tourism can make greater contributions to the economy and provide opportunities for producers of specialty crops.

“To accomplish this goal, efforts must be coordinated to develop promotional messages and trip planning tools for consumers, and engage more Michigan restaurants in supporting local specialty crop producers,” the grant proposal stated.

During the next year, Jones said the group will work to build partnerships with other organizations and learn about “best practices in culinary tourism” throughout the world.

“We hope to collect more information about the variety of experiences that people can have when they travel around Michigan that engage Michigan agriculture,” Jones said. “We feel Michigan has tremendous opportunities.”

The Michigan culinary tourism project was one of 745 grant recipients nationwide selected by USDA in 2009 under the Farm Bill’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The purpose of the SCBPG is to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. Michigan was awarded a total of more than $1.23 million to fund 25 different projects. Three additional rounds of competitive grant opportunities to assist specialty crop producers are anticipated in 2010, 2011 and 2012.