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Move over Wisconsin cheese.. here comes Michigan cheese.
"Watch out. we're on the way!"
The Michigan State University Product Center for Agricultural and Natural Resources
and 11 specialty cheese makers signed an agreement to form the
Michigan Cheese Maker's Cooperative.
Product center director Chris Peterson says
while the co-op structure will help the cheese makers take advantage of economies of scale,
they won't lose their individuality.
"Each of these Cheese Makers has a very unique
product and that's a wonderful thing for them as individual businesses
but it also maximizes the workload when it comes to marketing their product."
The USDA state director for rural cooperative development
Jim Turner says the group can provide a real economic boost to Michigan's economy
"Not just the Cheese Makers, but other kinds of cooperatives will learn from this experience."
In fact Mark Murray, CEO of Meijer,
said Meijer will be an associate member of the cooperative
"I've had many of these cheeses, they are spectacular products.
Some are already sold at Meijer and we just want to be
clear for future co-op members that our doors are open."
That's music to John and Ann Hoyt of Leelanau Cheese Company in Suttons Bay.
"It's hard to do things
by yourself
but you have more power as a team."
For a new cheese maker like Barbara Jenniks
of Cowslip Creamery, building camaraderie is key.
"It is particularly important to small cheese makers like me
there is strength in numbers and we can probably get better marketing deals
The cooperative is very important because
we are all in this together
and I believe that if we make good products there's room for all.
It's not like we're fighting with each other that will only hurt us.
But With communication and networking we are going to be fantastic cheese makers and put Michigan on the map.
Reporter, "How long before Michigan competes with Wisconsin?"
Ha, ha, ha, well our view is were competing right now.
By the way Wisconsin,
if you want to get an idea of what your Michigan competition is up to
just go to Great Lakes Great Cheese.com
From Michigan State University, I’m Eileen Gianiodis reporting.
(c) 2010 Michigan State University