Register now to connect through local food at these regional networking events for institutional food service buyers, farmers, and food suppliers (food hubs, distributors, etc.) Register now for one or more of these meet-the-buyers-style events. They are free to attend, but space is limited and registration is required.
Who should participate?
- 10 Cents a Meal grantees from previous years and schools and ECE sites intending to participate in 2022-23.
- Other institutional food service buyers - such as schools, hospitals, colleges, senior facilities, etc. - interested in purchasing local food products from farmers and vendors in their region.
- Farmer and food suppliers interested in selling local foods to institutional food buyers in the region. Farmers, food hubs, processors and distributors of any scale are welcome. Note that all institutions use products developed by makers (ex. pre-made desserts, canned salsa), so it is important to consider if your products are right for a Marketplace event.
Where and when are the next marketplace events?
FLINT Thursday, March 23, 4:00 – 6:00 pm Flint Fresh Food Hub 3325 E Court St, Flint, MI 48506 Co-Hosts: Flint Fresh Food Hub and MSU Extension Registration closed (Walk-ins are welcome)
Previous events:DETROIT Monday, March 6, 4:00 – 6:00 pm Eastern Market Shed 5 2934 Russell St, Detroit, 48207 Co-Host: Eastern Market Registration closed.
ALPENA - CANCELED Stay tuned for future events in this region!
ANN ARBOR Monday, March 20, 4:00 – 6:00 pm St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Exhibition Room and Auditorium 5305 Elliott Dr, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Co-Hosts: The Farm at Trinity Health and MSU Extension Registration closed. |
How the events work:
It’s a mix between speed-dating and a trade show!
Cultivate Michigan Marketplace events are unique because they focus on meeting the needs of institutional food service buyers. Each event is regional in scope and intended for institutional buyers , farmers, and food suppliers of all scales. Institutional buyers will be stationed at tables around the room, and suppliers will rotate to meet with buyers of their choice. Light refreshments will be provided along with plenty of time to mix and mingle!
Participation is open to institutions of all types. 10 Cents grantees, both schools and ECEs and past and future participants, are especially encouraged to attend. These events are free for institutional buyers, farmers, and food suppliers to attend, but space is limited and registration is required.
Register Now!
If you have any questions about the registration form, please contact Megan McManus at mcmanu60@msu.edu. Please contact Mariel Borgman at mborgm@msu.edu or Garrett Ziegler at zieglerg@msu.edu if you have questions about an event, including if it is the right fit for you, or do not wish to have any of the below information shared at an event.
This event is brought to you by the Michigan Farm to Institution Network, Michigan Department of Education and local host MSUE Community Food Systems. This event is made possible through a MDARD Specialty Crop Block Grant and generous funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Michigan Farm to Institution Network is coordinated by the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems with support from MSU Extension.
