Lansing, January 11, 2006 - The Michigan Food Policy Council (MFPC) will hold its second regional Public Listening Session in Grayling, Michigan on January 28, 2006. The Public Listening Sessions are opportunities for the public to provide comments and recommendations to the Council relating to its charge.

Created by Executive Order 2005-13 and funded in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the MFPC brings diverse food-related stakeholders together to recommend programs and policies to the Governor that cultivate a safe, healthy and available food supply to all of Michigan’s residents while building on the state’s agricultural diversity to enhance economic growth.

The Grayling Public Listening Session is being held in conjunction with the 7th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference. The session is scheduled from 12:00pm – 1:30pm at Grayling High School, Media Center Room. All interested parties are welcome to attend the listening session.

"The Council is continuing its efforts to seek input from Michigan citizens," said Kristin Brooks, executive coordinator for the MFPC. "We hope folks attending the conference and those living in the area who are interested in food, agriculture, economic and health issues come out to speak with us on January 28th."

More information on the Grayling Public Listening Session and the Michigan Food Policy Council is available at www.mda.state.mi.us/mfpc