local food
Shop Seasonally: berries, broccoli, and canning classes, oh my!
by (Amy Hinman)
Submitted 06-26-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
With so many sights, smells and vegetables, going to the farmers market is an event in and of itself. With food vendors, live music and the occasional canning class, picking up some bok choi is just that much more enjoyable. Events at the Markets:...
Newly-released book by local author highlights Grand Rapids food justice issues
by (wendypchef)
Submitted 06-26-2013 under OPINION
When I received a copy of Grand Rapids Food: A Culinary Revolution by Lisa Rose Starner (American Palate, 2013), I wasn’t sure what to expect. The topic of food in West Michigan is near and dear to my heart. Would it go beyond the obvious...
RF Johnson & Sons Farm shows dedication to quality, strawberries and soil
by (Amy Hinman)
Submitted 06-24-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
When Aaron Johnson hit his “mid-life thing,” he decided that he didn’t want to be in the flooring business anymore. A second generation fruit farmer from Sparta, full-time farming seemed like the obvious choice. Flooring career in...
The Local Feed: It's berry and cherry season
by (MILocalFoodBeet)
Submitted 06-21-2013 under OPINION
Strawberries. Cherries, Raspberries. Blueberries. Nothing says summer like Michigan fruit. Have you started seeing them at your local farmers market yet? They are full of flavor and nutrition, and it is oh so easy to preserve these delicious bites...
Green Wagon Farm grows goodness together
by (Amy Hinman)
Submitted 06-20-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
For farmer Chad Anderson, the desire to be a farmer started in 2007, by planting a garden in Uganda. “It all started in the Peace Corp, where I started a garden, just to have some points of conversation with the people because it was an...
There's a new baker in town: Field and Fire to provide healthy options downtown
by (MILocalFoodBeet)
Submitted 06-20-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
Shelby Kibler has arrived in Grand Rapids to open Field & Fire Bakery in our new Downtown Market. The market is set to open later this summer and is located at 435 Ionia SW – near Wealthy Street. His wife Julie and 15 month old son Esau...
GR Bagel wants to show Grand Rapids that real bagels swim
by (Davis Dryer)
Submitted 06-19-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
Sunday morning is a late morning for René Pascal Kalter and Lisa Barhydt, the founders of GR BAGEL. On Sundays, they don’t have to get to their rental space at Uptown Kitchen until around 6 a.m. or so. “Although, we were slow this...
Shop seasonally: what's at the market now
by (Amy Hinman)
Submitted 06-18-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
Getting kids to eat their vegetables has never been easier, not when there is chalk drawing and tractor pulls in addition to their veggies. Bring the whole family to the market, as more produce and activities are in season for everyone to enjoy....
BLOOMferments paves path for fermented foods
by (mariah_kat)
Submitted 06-18-2013 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Emily Helmus and Amber Rose are the team behind BLOOMferments, a new local business providing kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi. Their business, rooted in a curiosity of fermentation of tea and vegetables, began thanks to the urging of...
The Local Feed: Spinach in local farmers markets
by (MILocalFoodBeet)
Submitted 06-14-2013 under OPINION
Spinach is an annual plant that grows best in cool, damp weather and rich, moist soil. It is started with seed and harvested when the largest leaves are 6 to 8 inches long. It’s available in Michigan in spring gardens and markets, so now is...