HOME GROWN AND SUPPORTING OUR OWN!

April 20, 2010 – Hiller's Markets hosts Made-In-Michigan Food Fair May 2 in Ann Arbor with special guest Paula Tutman, WDIV TV reporter and author, who will sign copies of her DEADLINE! novel series.

Hiller’s Markets, Michigan’s premier source for Michigan-grown and generated products, will hold its next, highly anticipated Made-in-Michigan Food Fair on Sunday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hiller’s Market in Ann Arbor (3615 Washtenaw Avenue) to showcase the enormous selection of Michigan-made foods and highlight the benefits of buying local. The event will feature over 25 marvelous Michigan food companies; special guest Paula Tutman, WDIV reporter and author of the book series Deadline!, will be signing copies of her popular books and interacting with shoppers.

From gourmet ice cream to tantalizing tea, sumptuous desserts to gluten-free fare, the freshest salsa to the crispiest chips, Michigan businesses are creating top-notch products—and Hiller’s Markets is proud to sell them in its stores. A long-time advocate of the Michigan-made cause, Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller’s Markets, encourages customers to support their home state.

“Finding, nurturing and emphasizing Michigan products is not only good for Michigan and its welfare but good for me and all of the Hiller's employees, too,” explained Hiller. “My personal mantra is that we are all responsible for our own salvation. Together we can lift this state from the economic doldrums.”

The Cooperative Elevator Company, a featured vendor at the fair, represents 963 Michigan farmers. The company produces white wheat, red wheat and many varieties of dried beans. It also makes dry corn, which is converted into ethanol fuel.

“We create Michigan jobs for farmers and their employees. Then Hiller’s supports us by selling our products,” explained Gary Willey, a spokesman for The Cooperative Elevator Company, which donates 40,000 pounds of food bi-monthly to needy families. “We work lean and mean and pass the savings on to our customers. We also control the food from the seed to the table, so it is top quality.”

Willey finds it gratifying that politicians in the U.S. Senate eat navy bean soup made from Michigan-grown beans from The Cooperative Elevator Company. “Diplomats come from all over the world and they are eating the same beans that Hiller’s sells,” he said.

Other notable vendors appearing at the Made-in-Michigan fair include Ferndale’s own Garden Fresh Gourmet, Dearborn Ham, Hudsonville Ice Cream and Guernsey Dairy. Edna Ensign, owner of Iceni Tea, will also attend, saying, “We started out online and then Hiller’s gave us a chance to grow. This fair is especially exciting because it promotes the positive things happening in Michigan. We are so thankful to Hiller’s for highlighting the fact that there are growing and thriving businesses here in Michigan.”

Tutman, who has called Michigan her home for the past 18 years, is on her own personal campaign to support the local economy. “Buying local and keeping money in our own community benefits everyone at every level. Hiller’s is the perfect place for me to shop and promote my book!”