At Taste the Local Difference, we strive to do all we can to help local food and farm businesses succeed. This past May, with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect we spent time with B&B Farms in Alpena, Hopside Brewery in Alpena, and MOJO’s Spices and Catering in Cheboygan to help them better reach local eaters.
We met with each business one-on-one to discover how we could best support them and the goals they have. Supporting each of their marketing needs, the TLD team developed unique plans for each business, including updated photography, website creation, concept designs for merchandise, and social media assistance.
Learn more about these local businesses below!
B&B Farms – Alpena, MI
Ben Nowakowski and Brook Alloway, are the B&B of B&B Farms, a small family-owned and -operated beef farm in Alpena. Ben was raised here, where his grandparents kept a small herd of dairy and beef cattle. Ben did not intend to grow up and become a farmer, and yet a few decades later, you can find him herding cattle! Although Brook grew up in the suburbs of Boston, she visited her grandparents’ farm every summer, which influenced her passion for farming.
Their approach to farming is holistic and they focus on the wellbeing of the animals, the land, the famer, and the consumer. Their animals are grass-fed and finished, their pastures and hay are non-GMO perennials, and their cattle are pasture raised (no confinement), antibiotic and hormone free, which creates a quality product from the very start.
With their funded marketing services, B&B Farms received an entire website update, and a professional photography shoot that not only featured their farm and the work they do, but their adorable family too!
Hopside Brewery – Alpena, MI
Hopside Brewery came to fruition in 2018 after five local friends decided it was time to share their passion of beer and brewing with the rest of the world. After finding the perfect location in charming downtown Alpena, the remodeling & construction of their dream brewery began. Over three years and with countless hours of hard work, the doors were open to the public. Hopside Brewery strives to provide a relaxing and fun atmosphere with a continuous rotation of highly drinkable beers and unique comfort food to go along with them.
Hopside will be receiving a social media audit and concept designs for new merchandise, like coasters and t-shirts!
MOJO Spices & Catering – Cheboygan, MI
Daniel Mohlé is the man behind MoJo Spices and Catering. Based in Cheboygan, his mission is to bring ‘More Joy’ to the world with food that’s fun, healthy, and tastes good. As an experienced nutritionist with dual degrees from Oregon State University in Nutrition and Food Service Management, Daniel merges his experience and creativity to assemble unique flavor combinations of spice mixes which accommodate specific dietary needs.
To boost his online presence, we built an entirely new e-commerce website on Square for MOJO’s Spices and Catering, including a professional photography shoot of his products too.
At the end of the day at TLD, we love helping people. It makes me so happy that we get the chance to help our partners by sharing grant information that’s available, helping them create their dream website, connecting them with the local resources they need, and supporting the work they do within our local food systems.If you’re a local business owner that’s growing locally, producing locally, or sourcing locally in Northeast Michigan call, text or email Sam Samson-Miller and get the support of our statewide network.
Sam Samson-Miller is a resident of Alpena, MI and is the Northeast Local Food Coordinator for Taste the Local Difference and Program Ambassador for the Double Up Food Bucks Program. Email: [email protected] Phone: 989.916.6621