For eaters, June in Michigan often brings to mind roadside stands with large signs for asparagus, or farmers market tables showing off pink stalks of rhubarb. For those in the grocery store, it also means an amp up in local purchasing. Behind the stacks of fresh strawberries and misted greens, there’s a professional in charge of bringing the farm to your grocery basket.
One of these folks is Beverly Bouma, Food Programs Manager of North Kent Connect in Rockford. North Kent Connect offers a unique model – the organization operates both a farm stand and a food pantry, offering fresh, local food to their clients and the general public. Clients experiencing limited food access can pick up food for free at the pantry or shop the farm stand at half price, while everyone else pays prices set by the farmers themselves. From the beginning, Bouma made it clear they wouldn’t undercut the growers: they wanted pricing that could sustain local farms. Today, the farm stand is bustling and includes products from 50 area growers, supporting a community of eaters and entrepreneurs.
“I just love the experience that the food brings to my customers and my clients,” she says. “The joy of tasting a tomato from the field or greenhouse – we love to have tasting days in our pantry, just to capture those expressions.”
Down in Kalamazoo, the People’s Food Co-op shares a similar mindset of sourcing local food. General Manager Alex Morris says his greatest satisfaction comes from the ripple effect of supporting community agriculture. “We know that there is a reduction in emissions, we know that a local family is potentially benefiting, we know that someone is going to eat something that came from a farm closer than they would imagine,” he explains. For Morris, who grew up a proud “veg head,” working in produce has had a profound impact on his values both personally and professionally.
Sourcing and Showcasing West Michigan Local Food
That said, buying fresh from the field isn’t always the most convenient way to stock a produce section. Morris says that communication and organization are two essential components to including local foods in their offerings, and Bouma states that the logistics of sourcing from so many small farms can be a hurdle. Many of these operations don’t offer delivery, and can’t spare the staff to make a stop, so picking up produce from the farm themselves from along the coast and throughout the county is almost a full-time job in itself. She credits organizations like West Michigan Farmlink, which simplifies ordering from multiple farms, with helping keep things manageable.
Another hurdle is to explain the difference in nutritional quality and appearance from the conventionally grown produce offered in many big-box stores. Bouma emphasizes that taste and nutritional value outweigh cosmetic perfection, and part of her role is to help customers understand that difference. She explains that the education component is a balance of language that dignifies the farmer and offers tools, like recipes, for the eater.
Meanwhile, Morris says that the art of the display is another way to communicate value to the customer. “The produce department has just about every color combo possible, make it fun, make it bright, make it nice!” A strong visual display – with a rainbow of fresh vegetables and fruits – helps attract attention and spark conversations.
Seasonal Eats in the Produce Department
One of the biggest reasons to buy local in the produce department is seasonality, and luckily, with June just beginning, there’s plenty of time to pick up an in-season item. “I think Michigan grows the best fruit, like strawberries, peaches, and plums. They just melt in your mouth,” gushes Bouma.
If you ask Morris, he’d agree. “Ask your clerk what’s in season! That will always be the best way to determine what’s for dinner! We are just at the end of asparagus season, always a favorite in West Michigan. That means blueberries, corn, apples, and more are right around the corner!”
Make sure to check out North Kent Connect and the People’s Food Co-op during your next shopping trip in West Michigan!