TThe 2010 Charter established six goals for an equitable, sustainable, and economically vibrant Michigan food system. As the ten-year mark approaches, time is ripe to examine the progress made and formulate a new vision for the coming decade.
eat local
Crop Spot: Eggplant
Crop Spot, Eat Local, Farmers Markets, Find Local FoodEggplant is most commonly celebrated as a staple of Mediterranean cuisine. However, did you know that it is thought to have been domesticated in Southeast Asia as early as 300 BC? Get to know how to use this purple veggie in your garden, kitchen, and diet.
Know Your Farmer: Hallstedt Homestead
Find Local Food, Julia Linder, Know Your Farmer, UncategorizedFor all sweet cherry lovers out there, Hallstedt Homestead is the place for you. The Northport orchard, run by Sarah and Phil Hallstedt, is a new haven for sweet cherries in the heart of the cherry capital. They grow eight varieties of sweet cherries, including six varieties available for U-Pick.
Guide to 7 Heirloom Tomatoes
Bailey Samp, Farmers Markets, Find Local FoodHave you found yourself wandering the farmers market totally confused about the differences among heirloom tomato varieties?
If yes, then this guide is for you. Unlike traditional red tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes are rainbow colored, can be green in color when ripe, and come in all shapes and sizes. The yellow varieties tend to have less acid, the reds are zesty, and the dark purple varieties can offer a savory flavor.
Here is a look at a few different heirloom tomatoes that you can pick up at your local farmers market this season!
Grilled Salmon with Peaches
Health, Paula Martin, RecipesMichigan peaches are a tasty treat that brighten up any snack, meal, or dessert. The peak growing season for peaches in Michigan begins in July and carries through September, making them a fresh option in the summer and fall. Peaches can also be frozen or canned and stored to enjoy throughout the year.
Eating Like a Local in Alpena, Part 2 of 3
Eat Local, Find Local Food, Molly StepanskiWith summer (finally) under way on the Sunrise Side, the quaint, small town of Alpena is abound with tourists seeking the best local food and libation experiences for that warm weather bucket list. Overlooking the beautiful Thunder Bay of Lake Huron, this city truly provides a warm and friendly port for all that visit. Luckily for the locals, they get to appreciate this city’s burgeoning food scene year-round.
In this second part of our three part series, I’ll detail some of the locals’ favorite haunts, so you can also find the best locally-sourced cuisine during your travels. (See part 1 here.)
Shoreline Wild Salmon: Bringing it Home
Farmers Markets, Find Local Food, Southeast MichiganGrowing up in Battle Creek, also known as “Cereal City”, I learned quickly how to identify myself with the breakfast aisle of any grocery store. Wild salmon, not so much. In fact, I refused to eat salmon growing up, which may have been the most confusing part about packing my bags and moving to Alaska just days after graduating from Michigan State University. Fast forward four years later and here I am, shipping top quality wild salmon from the icy waters of Alaska back home to Michigan. One of my favorite parts? My dad is the one who picks it up from the airport and delivers it directly to stores in Michigan, and with help from my mom, sells our frozen salmon portions at farmers markets around Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Know Your Farmer: Saskatoon Michigan
Find Local Food, Julia Linder, Know Your Farmer, Specialty ProducersMeet Steve DuCheney of Saskatoon Michigan Farm! “Saskatoon” Steve grows mostly Saskatoon berries and a few Honeyberries on his farm in Williamsburg, Michigan.
Detroit’s Top 3 Most Walkable Foodie Neighborhoods
Detroit, Farmers Markets, Find Local Food, Nick Jones, UncategorizedDetroit is the Motor City but, believe it or not, you don’t need to drive everywhere. Renowned restaurants, farmers markets, and tasting rooms can be found along easily walkable routes. So call a rideshare, grab your bike, or hop on public transit, because you won’t need your car to enjoy a leisurely summer walk in one of these local food hot spots.
The Best Picnic of the Year: A Benefit for Food Gatherers
Benefit, Event, Find Local Food, Scott Hardin, Southeast MichiganDo you want to support your local food system? Fight food insecurity in your community? Have a lot of fun? How about all of those at once? You’re in luck! You’re invited to the 30th anniversary of Grillin’ for Food Gatherers, a community picnic that features Washtenaw County’s finest food, while gathering funds to fight hunger where we live.