‘Better Made’ in Michigan

Brian Manzullo

Keep your money in the mitten.

State pride is in vogue when it comes to keeping your money close to home. And while buying local isn’t a new idea, it’s certainly in fashion as the recession continues to shrink the state’s economy.

Everything from the cars you drive to the food you eat has the potential to make an impact.

These are the facts, according to the State Department of Agriculture:

If every Michigan family spent $10 on locally grown fruits and vegetables each week, it would add $37 million to the state’s economy.

As the state’s second-largest industry, agriculture generated $63.7 billion and employed about 1 million Michiganians in 2008.

Michigan is the country’s second most agriculturally diverse state, with more than 200 commodities – dairy, wine and horticulture chief among them.

One of the Motor City’s own, Better Made Snack Foods, has been one of the longest lasting chip companies since 1930. Better Made offers a variety of snack products including potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn, said Catherine Gusmano, manager of the Better Made retail factory in Detroit.

Better Made distributes its products throughout the state in stores such as Kroger, Meijer, and Wal-Mart, she said.

“Even though bigger businesses offer advantages, Better Made helps Michigan’s economy by using locally grown potatoes in their production process,” Gusmano said.

“Reservation of the earth is always important; we do our best to keep that in mind.”

After 102 years, Faygo still bleeds Michigan colors after being created in Detroit by Ben and Perry Felgenson.

Known for serving soda pop, flavored waters and mixers throughout the Midwest, The company currently has 51 flavors of Faygo, and new flavors are produced every year.

“Flavors that are always popular among customers are Redpop, Orange, Grape, and Rock & Rye,” he said.

He said Faygo tries to support Michigan companies as much as possible, but it’s not always easy to get ingredients and capitol locally.

“Every state is protective of their own kind of products, and Faygo supports Michigan-made products 100 percent,” Rosenthal said.

St. John’s Michigan Mint produces sweet treats from mint chocolate to cherry almond. The company buys top-shelf mint that is harvested from over 4,000 farms throughout Michigan.

Heather Hanover, owner of Michigan Mint, said that the company tries to be creative with their products in order to keep up with customers’ needs.

Hanover also agreed that having a locally owned business provides benefits for the economy.

“Michigan Mint is able to generate jobs in the area and give local farmers more business,” she said.

Koegel Meats, Inc. started in the early 1900s by Albert Koegel, and is still selling products throughout Michigan.

Students can enjoy Koegel meats from pork to salami in local retail locations like Kroger, Meijer, or Ric’s Food Center. President of Koegel Meats, Inc. in Flint John Koegel said that Koegel tries to use as many local supplies as possible.

“Although there are no major slaughter plants in Michigan, we try to get some items locally, like the packaging materials we get from Owosso,” Koegel said.

“We also get all of our support, like fixing and repair jobs, from local vendors.”

Mountain Town Station, W. Broadway St., has steaks, a brewery, and a wine shop– all Michigan-made products. Mayor of Mt. Pleasant and owner, Jim Holton, said that Mountain Town’s brewery is especially popular and sells hand-crafted flavors all over the state.

“We also sell a variety of Michigan focused foods like our Maple Vinaigrette Dressing, which is made of maple syrup straight from farms in Shepherd.”

Holton said that Mountain Town tries their best to keep everything local because “local is key.” Producing and selling Michigan-made products can bring advantages.

“Unlike chain companies, every time we make profits we donate right back to the community in schools, churches, and non-profit organizations,” he said. It’s important to be able to help throughout state-wide communities, he said.

features@cm-life.com