Eat up! Michigan launches culinary tourism effort to showcase local food, wine

Eat up! Michigan launches culinary tourism effort

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan is launching an effort to promote culinary tourism and encourage local offerings on restaurant menus.

Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Don Koivisto said he hopes the program will help increase sales and profitability for Michigan’s specialty crop producers, and promote Michigan as a destination for culinary travel experiences.

“With agriculture and tourism as the state’s second and third largest industries, it makes sense to promote Michigan as a rewarding travel destination for educational, healthy and tasty food experiences,” Koivisto said in a statement.

MDA will help develop a Michigan Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with the Michigan Restaurant Association and Travel Michigan.

Cherries, wine, and apple cider are some of the products the state is already known for.