The unusually early spring in March and frosts in April have caused a fair amount of turmoil for Michigan produce growers, particularly apple and cherry farms.  That, in turn, has left a number of fruit processors here in Michigan and elsewhere scrambling in a number of different directions – looking to their insurance brokers for coverage options, to the market for exit strategies or diversification opportunities, and to overseas suppliers to secure fruit. 

Many of these processors have never been engaged in importing, or if they have, it's been many years since they last did so.  And, given what's transpired in the wake of 9/11 and the resulting shifts that have occurred in the food regulatory regime in the past ten years, including of course the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), many of these processors don't know where to begin. 

We've partnered with the Van Andel Global Trade Center to provide a breakfast seminar that will provide these processors with a glimpse at the current landscape of importing food into the United States, and provide them with some introductory tools to get started.  And the time to do so is NOW.  Please consider joining us for this program, or if you have questions about implementing a food import program for your business, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at sskluting@varnumlaw.com for advice or assistance in making connections.