Three ABCC Seminars Held in 2004 

On February 19, 2004 the Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, and Cranberry (ABCC) promotion kicked off its third year of promotions with a seminar in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The seminar was conducted to train Mexican chefs on using processed apples, blueberries, cherries, and cranberries in various bakery items. Chef Maricu Ortiz, one of the chefs that trained at Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI, is once again conducting the training seminars for ABCC. 

On April 19, 2004 the second ABCC seminar was held in Mexico City, Mexico. Over 120 chefs, distributors, importers, media, and bakeries attended the seminar. The participants came from such companies as Nèstlè, Starbucks Mexico, Bimbo Bakery, and many others.

The third and final ABCC seminar was held on June 10, 2004 in Cancun, Mexico The seminar was held in conjunction with the ExpoHotel trade show held June 9-11. Over 120 chefs, distributors, importers, media, and bakeries attended the seminar. All three seminars were conducted using funds received from the USDA Market Access Program funds.

Some successes from the seminars have included: 

• The high-end bakery establishment “El Globo” (more than 100 stores around Mexico) is selling apple-blueberry grain bread. 
• Biscotti and oatmeal cherry and oatmeal apple cookies at all “Starbuck’s Café” stores all over Mexico.
• Sale of apple pie filling at the “Price Smart” stores where two retail cans were shrink-wrapped to sell in this club store.
• One private label brand has been established to provide the retail segment with red tart cherries, apple pie filling, cherry pie filling,blueberry pie filling, and black sweet cherries to stores such as Superama, Soriana, HEB, Walmart, and Comercial Mexicana. 

Successes from the seminars have included: 

• Sales of ABCC products into Mexico of approximately $200,000 since 2002 
• More than 2002 over 600 Mexican chefs have been trained since 2002
• 3,000 people reached by trade servicing
• 6,000 people reached though trade shows

2005 Michigan Pavilion Spaces at Country’s Largest Food Show

This is your last chance to get a great location at the 2005 FMI show in the Michigan Pavilion. 

In 2005, the U.S. Food Export Showcase (USFES) held at the Food Marketing Institute’s show in Chicago will see significant changes. The USFES show will move from the back to the front of the show floor. This change shows the strong support for the state pavilions and the quality of products coming from the companies, producers, and processors located within the states. The new location will offer companies an even greater opportunity to attract more qualified domestic and international buyers. Booth spaces for the 2005 show will be $2,200. If you are interested in exhibiting in the Michigan Pavilion at the 2005 FMI show contact Jamie Zmitko at (517) 241-3628 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov.

International Dairy, Deli, and Bakery (IDDBA) Buyers’ Mission

Thirteen international buyers traveled to Michigan for one-on-one meetings with representatives from Michigan companies and to tour retail establishments on June 4, 2004. The buyers had the opportunity to meet with Burnette Foods. Retail tours at Farmer Jacks in Taylor and Kroger Fresh Fare in Birmingham provided a great opportunity for the buyers to see trends in U.S. grocery stores. The buyers were also able to be a part of the Select Michigan program for asparagus during the in-store demonstrations at the Kroger Fresh Fare. The buyers then traveled to Washington, D.C. for more one-on-one meetings and to attend the IDDBA trade show.

Michigan Biodiesel Alliance Sponsors “Biodiesel Bus Tour”

The Michigan Biodiesel Alliance sponsored a “Biodiesel Bus Tour” on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 with 25 participants. The tour consisted of a cross-section of people including: soybean growers, the Michigan Soybean Association Executive Director, state representatives and their staff, professors from MSU Agricultural Economics Department, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) state employees, the CEO of NextEnergy, Inc., and Clean Cities staff. The Michigan Biodiesel Alliance is co-chaired by the Soybean Promotion Committee of Michigan and the MDA Agriculture Development Division

Biodiesel is a cleaner burning alternative to petroleum-based diesel fuel (raw soybean and other vegetable oils, or waste grease or animal fats, are not biodiesel). Fuel grade biodiesel is made from renewable resources that have been processed and refined in strict accordance with industry standards known as ASTM-6751, which is issued by the American Society of Testing and Materials. The key word in understanding this standard is the term, “transesterification.” The raw vegetable oil or animal fat is refined and reacted with an alcohol and a catalyst such as an acid. This process yields an ester and glycerin. The glycerin is removed and the ester that is left is biodiesel. Pure biodiesel fuel is referred to as B100 (100% pure biodiesel). B100 is then blended with petroleum diesel in various concentrations. These blended fuels are then denoted as “Bxx” with “xx” representing the percentage of biodiesel in the final blend. As an example, B2 would mean 2% biodiesel and 98% petroleum diesel fuel. 

Verhey Transportation, Inc. of Grand Rapids graciously provided their diesel motor coach (powered by Crystal Flash B20 Soydiesel XC fuel) and the driver to transport the group during the day. At the beginning of the biodiesel bus tour, the driver invited folks to get off and go around to the back of the bus and “smell my tailpipe!” Some did and remarked it smelled like “French fries.” This helped effectively demonstrate how biodiesel fuel is friendlier to people and the environment. 

Three state legislators, Representatives Neal Nitz, Joe Hune, and Bill Huizenga, were involved for part or all of the Biodiesel Bus Tour. They enjoyed touring Zeeland Farm Services (ZFS), the largest commercial soybean processor in Michigan, and learning that ZFS is interested in expanding their agri-business by building a $8 million biodiesel fuel manufacturing facility once a stable market is established. 

The day included presentations by Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and MDEQ on U.S. air quality standards and Michigan non-attainment areas. A tour of the MDA Geagley Laboratory, Motor Fuels Quality section and a presentation by the CEO of Next Energy, Inc on ozone and particulate matter was the next stop of the day. The group also traveled to Crystal Flash Biodiesel and Petroleum Products Wholesale Blending and Distribution Facility in Hamilton and then to a soybean farm in Eaton County.

Michigan Farm Market, U-Pick, & Ag Tourism Directory

The Michigan 2004-2005 Michigan Farm Market, U-Pick, & Ag Tourism Directory is now available! For some of Michigan’s excellent quality fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, crafts, farm tours, or just a fun family outing, check out the directory. With over 200 entities listed, with full addresses and hours/days of operation, description of products offered, including produce available for U-Pick or organic, it provides consumers a wide array of choices to purchase locally grown Michigan products. There is also a list of 101 farmers’ markets with the location and times they are open. Included in this directory are some fun facts, tips, and recipes using Michigan’s diverse commodities for your enjoyment. For a free copy of the 2004-2005 Directory, please call 517-241-1207 and leave your name and complete address. The Directory, in a searchable format, can also be found online on MDA’s web site at www.michigan.gov/mda. The Directory is located under “Quick Links” on the right-hand side. 

27th Annual Michigan State Fair Wine and Spirits Competition

Twenty wine experts from around the country and state gathered on July 23, 2004 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Michigan State University in East Lansing for the 27th Annual Michigan State Fair Wine and Spirits Competition. The event is sponsored by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry council and organized by division staff David Creighton, Linda Jones, and Karel Bush. Judges were divided into five panels to swirl, sniff and sip their way through a record number of entries. Thirty of the state’s 40 wineries entered nearly 300 wine and spirits for this year’s competition, which is open only to wines produced from Michigan fruits. Sandhill Crane Vineyards, located near Jackson, surprised everyone by winning two Gold Medals in their first competition. Complete results are available at the Grape & Wine Council's website. The daylong event was capped off with the Gold Medal Reception where “Best of Class” awards were announced. Guests were able to taste the winning wines and meet with judges and winemakers. Cases of Best of Class wines were auctioned at the Youth Livestock Auction at the Michigan State Fair on August 18, 2004, raising $5,900 for youth scholarships. 

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