<p><strong>GRAND RAPIDS, MI</strong> - Meijer and the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources are entering into a partnership to support Michigan's economy and the state's small businesses through "Made in Michigan." The initiative is scheduled to launch in select Meijer stores toward the end of this month, according to a recent press release. The announcement was made by Meijer Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hank Meijer.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The "Made in Michigan" initiative will put forty-nine new grocery items, from blueberry butter to gourmet seasoning, on shelves within thirty-three Meijer stores. These new items will accompany Michigan's locally-grown produce, as well. Matt Birbeck, High Impact Venture Action Team project manager for the MSU Product Center, indicates that the initiative could have a $400,000 economic impact throughout the state.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Meijer worked with the MSU Product Center and its HI-VAT for approximately a year to cultivate the undertaking. Meijer selected twenty-two Michigan vendors to participate in the initiative with the opportunity for the project to branch out chain-wide. Hank Meijer, states, “Meijer is always pleased to support Michigan businesses." He continues, “Also, there is tremendous interest from our customers to buy local and to support local businesses. That is why we continuously increase the amount of products we purchase from local suppliers and companies. This partnership with the MSU Product Center presents a great opportunity to enhance our selection of Michigan made products and produce, further making Meijer the place for one-stop shopping.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.meijer.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
