Michigan Food and Agriculture Month kicked off with a celebration March 1 at the McDonald’s Restaurant at 2829 W. 14 Mile Road in Royal Oak.

Jamie Clover Adams, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development director, read a proclamation from Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declaring March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month, to recognize the diversity and abundance provided by Michigan’s 51,400 farmers. 

Representatives from Michigan’s egg and dairy industries, Royal Oak public officials and other dignitaries were on hand.

“Michigan’s food and agriculture businesses are a critical piece of the state’s economic foundation contributing $101.2 billion to our state’s economy each year,” Clover Adams said. “Our farmers produce more than 300 agricultural commodities on 10 million acres of farmland. Michigan ranks in the top 10 for 36 commodities, and is the largest producer of eight commodities, including asparagus, tart cherries, cucumbers, squash, Niagara grapes and three varieties of dry beans.”

McDonald’s in Royal Oak was a perfect backdrop to talk about Michigan’s farm to table agribusinesses, according to Karen Scott, marketing manager, Michigan Region, McDonald’s Corp.

“We are honored to host the kickoff for Michigan Food and Agriculture Month,” Scott said. “There are two very key ingredients that are at the core of McDonald’s success: the quality of our food and our people. Michigan farmers and producers, like Herbruck’s a national supplier of eggs to McDonald’s, have earned the opportunity to represent the golden arches, and we are so very proud of the quality that they supply.”

McDonald’s purchases $116 million worth of raw product from Michigan food and agriculture businesses, including purchasing more than 65 million dozen eggs in 2016. McDonald’s also employs more than 30,000 individuals at more than 520 restaurants in the state.

McDonald’s, which continues to be a leading partner with Michigan’s egg industry, purchased more than 65 million dozen Michigan eggs and more than $116 million in total Michigan agriculture products.

Others speaking at the kickoff event included Shelly Kemp, executive director, Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce; Allison Brink, executive director, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries Inc.; Cortney Freeland, outreach specialist, Milk Means More (United Dairy Industry of Michigan); Carl Bednarski, president, Michigan Farm Bureau; and Greg Herbruck, president, Herbruck Poultry Ranch.

Source: MDARD