Hiller’s to Fill 52,000-square-foot Store with Michigan-Made Products

March 9, 2009 – SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – “We must be responsible for our own salvation,” Hiller’s Markets CEO Jim Hiller is fond of saying. And when it comes to a flailing economy, that can only mean digging in our heels and determining to spend as much of our dollars on hometown businesses.

After months of featuring Michigan companies in its biweekly circular, launching a collaborative Hometown First program with locally-owned businesses, and identifying Michigan products with smiling-mitten-state shelf tags, Hiller’s Markets is adding another Michigan initiative to its arsenal: the first Michigan Foods Fair, March 21-22, at the beautiful, 52,000-square-foot Union Lake Hiller’s.

The not-quite-one-year-old store will be packed with more than 30 vendors hawking home state products – from flatbread to cereal to milk and meat to cleaning supplies. (Please see attached sheet of vendors for a taste of who will be at the Hiller’s Michigan Food Fair!)

“Buying and selling Michigan products boosts the local economy, says Jim Hiller, CEO of the 68-year-old company. “That helps our state economy and the families who live here. I have always been dedicated to working together with good people and good companies close to home.”

Hiller’s has long been committed to showcasing locally-made, grown and produced food items. Among the hundreds of Michigan products Hiller’s sells are such brands as Garden Fresh Salsa, Pioneer Sugar, Guernsey Farms Dairy, Olga’s Kitchen, Bareman’s, Better Made, Hamilton Eggs, Old Orchard juices, Michigan navy beans, Polly’s Pastries and others.

“With so many jobs lost and the economy spiraling, I want to do what I can to support my fellow entrepreneurs,” says Hiller. “All of us are feeling the pangs of this troubled economic time and only by working together to highlight the extremely full landscape of Michigan talents will we make it through.”

Every vendor at the two-day food fair will demo their product, provide samples for shoppers to taste and exhibit signs with information about where in Michigan the company is located and how many people they employ.

“Obviously, we cannot buy all our foods locally – but anything we can do to support other Michigan businesses makes a difference,” says Hiller. “Jumping on the local food bandwagon is a good idea for so many reasons – we can trace the path our food takes from origin to the family table, we can encourage industry development and growth and we can insure that our economy has varied sources of entrepreneurship.”

Hiller’s groceries are located in Ann Arbor, Berkley, West Bloomfield, Northville, Plymouth, Commerce Township and a new 52,000 square-foot store in Union Lake. Many company employees have been at Hiller’s for decades – symbolizing the quality behind the brand. Hiller has always been guided by the societal impact of store activities and corporate decisions.

EVENT INFORMATION
What: Hiller’s Michigan Foods Fair
When: March 21-22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Hiller’s Market, 3010 Union Lake Road, Commerce Twp, MI 48390 (248) 363-8718

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