It’s asparagus season and I recently noticed a Taste the Local Difference sign over the Tom’s East Bay display of this seasonal goodness. The asparagus was grown on the Lutz family farm in Kaleva. Turns out Tom’s has made a big commitment to buying locally grown produce for their five stores through direct relationships with farmers and local distributor Cherry Capital Foods.

Cherry Capital Foods is a unique Traverse City-based business. They work with farmers, growers and producers only from Michigan, aggregating local food and providing it to the market place. By focusing on Michigan sources, they create efficiencies for local food providers and customers while minimizing the impact on the environment. From their website: “One refrigerated truck, one delivery, one invoice – multiple, independent food sources.”

Even during the winter, Lutz’ asparagus is available at Tom’s. It’s one of the many fruits and vegetables in Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Farm to Freezer product line. Farm to Freezer is a job training program that flash freezes produce from local growers. The program provides transitional employment opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged populations, new markets and increased profitability for northwest Michigan farmers, and nutrient-dense, delicious products for the community. As Goodwill says, in Michigan asparagus is “Always local. Always in season. Always good.”

So, consider making Tom’s your
market of choice to support the locally owned business that supports local farmers and producers–  particularly in Acme where competition is heavy.  Look for the Taste the Local Difference logo in the produce section, buy local products, and thank Tom’s staff for having them!  You touch the lives of many in our community when you support the local economy