Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the country.
Originally printed in the June 2024 issue of Produce Business.
Dave Hansen has a rule to sell more fresh produce in Hansen Foodsa two-store chain owned by him with locations in Hart and Suttons Bay, MI.
“We want our customers to say ‘that looks good,’ because then they will buy. The important thing to us about Michigan-grown produce is that it is fresh. For example, asparagus, sweet corn, tomatoes and cucumbers are picked that morning and put away in the store that afternoon.”
Hansen also uses photos of local farmers on the produce department wall. “These same farmers buy from our stores, so when they say ‘this looks good,’ we know we’ve done a good job,” she says.
WHY BUY IN MICHIGAN
Retailers in the Midwest, East and Southeast of the U.S. can find a great deal on fresh Michigan produce, especially in season.
“Many may not realize that Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the country, behind only California,” says Michael Ceja, an extension specialist for the program based in Lansing, Michigan. Michigan Agricultural Councilan organization of commodity and agribusiness groups.
In 2022, Michigan’s more than 44,000 farms, 98% of which are family owned and operated, contributed more than $104.7 billion to the state’s economy and produced more than 300 varieties of fresh foods and produce. The state ranks first nationally in 15 different products, including asparagus, adds Ceja.
Supplying Michigan-grown products is important to Detroit, Michigan-based wholesaler Joe Randazzo Fruits and Vegetables Inc.which also operates four retail markets.
“We get fresh produce every day,” says Sarah Randazzo DeLapp, director of marketing, adding that the company just built another dock and cooler to expand its delivery department.
THE ABUNDANCE OF NATURE
Natural attributes such as a temperate climate, rich soils, abundant water and diverse growing regions, the last of which extends nearly 400 miles from Canada’s southern border to the state lines of Indiana and Ohio, make Michigan a place natural for agriculture.
Most of Michigan’s produce is grown on the west side of the state, primarily due to climate and natural irrigation due to the growing regions’ proximity to Lake Michigan.
“The soil is fertile, the summer days are hot and the nights are cool, creating the flavors we all love,” says Trish Taylor, marketing manager at Riverridge Produce Marketing Inc.in Sparta, MI, selling asparagus, apples, sweet cherries and prunes.
“There is a little produce trail on the west side of Michigan. Certain areas are known for growing abundant produce, from the salad bowl area known for growing celery, tomatoes and onions to Ridge for its apples and Leelanau for its tart cherries.”
Unlike its neighboring states, the climate moderated by the Great Lakes protects against excessive heat and cold, extending the state’s growing season into fall.
“For example, our Michigan tomatoes will be gone two weeks later than those in the rest of the Midwest,” says Nick Teriaca, director of sales and procurement at BelleHarvest Sales Inc.in Belding, MI.
Michigan’s location near the center of the United States is another advantage.
“Being centrally located can benefit us, especially if we can grow much of the produce here that was historically known to come from the West,” says Riveridge’s Taylor.
PRODUCE CORNUCOPIA
Michigan produces an enormous amount of fresh agricultural diversity.
“When the Michigan season is in full production, we get various products depending on the season. Some of the first items offered in Michigan are asparagus to start, then cabbage and greens, and then they will continue to expand the offering until the apple harvest,” says Jordan Grainger, vice president of sales and business development for the wholesaler. Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, Inc.at Detroit Produce Terminal, Detroit, MI.
The company launched a new citrus bagging operation this spring and plans to expand its bagged product offerings in the coming months.
Michigan is famous for its asparagus, and Oceana County is celebrated as the asparagus capital of the world, according to Ceja of the Michigan Ag Council.
“Oceana is to asparagus what Napa is to grapes,” says Hansen of Hansen Foods. “We sell 20,000 pounds in one season. The novelty is our Oceana Prime cut asparagus. The spears are 5 inches long. They do not have bands, but are displayed loose in a specially designed marketing box. Shoppers buy more that way.”
The Michigan asparagus harvest takes place in May and June. More than 100 farmers on about 10,000 acres pick, pack and ship about 20 million pounds of the green vegetable during their six-week season, according to the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Council (MAAB) in DeWitt, Michigan.
“Michigan asparagus has a rich, distinctive flavor. Because it’s local, it will last longer in shoppers’ refrigerators, and because it’s harvested by hand by breaking the spear at ground level, our spears don’t require significant trimming, providing more value to consumers,” says Jamie Clover Adams , executive director of MAAB.
North Bay Products is a grower that produces a significant volume of asparagus each season, according to Brian Klumpp, director of sales and marketing for the Traverse City, Michigan company.
“Organic products are more challenging in the state due to the amount of rainfall, but we offer organic asparagus.”
The company is also a major producer of apples and blueberries in Michigan.
WOLVERINE STATE FRUITS
Nearly a dozen and a half categories of fruit are grown commercially in Michigan.
“The tree fruit industry has an economic impact of more than $7 million in our state. We had record apple crops the last two seasons and are looking forward to another great season. “Peaches will be ready from July to September, pears and plums from August to September, and apples will be harvested from August to October,” says Nancy Nyquist, executive director of the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission in Lansing, Michigan.
KeynoteUSAPLES: Michigan ranks second nationally in apple production, behind Washington state. Approximately half of the harvest goes to processing and the rest to the fresh market.
The apple harvest in Michigan begins in mid-to-late August through October, and stored fruit lasts until spring.
“We announced our official estimate on August 16, at the USAApple Outlook Conference, but growers tell us that this year’s bloom was one of the most beautiful in recent years,” says Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) in Lansing, Michigan. “It looks like we will have another big harvest by 2024.”
Honeycrisp is a bestseller, says BelleHarvest’s Teriaca.
Michigan is a good state to grow newer varieties, Teriaca adds. “We grew SweeTango, Smitten and planted Evercrisp. “We plan to have these three newest varieties available this season, with plenty of new growth in the coming seasons.”
There is high demand for premium early-season flavor varieties such as SweeTango and Rave, adds Brian Coates, vice president of Applewood Fresh Producers, in Sparta, MI.
“We plan to kick off our 2024 season with the ultimate back-to-school apple, Rave, and we plan to start shipping it in late August or early September,” Coates says, adding that the first SweeTango will ship in early September.
Riveridge Produce Marketing has the largest commercial trial of organic apples in Michigan, Taylor says.
BLUEBERRIES: Michigan is a top producer of blueberries, with about 15,000 acres in the southwestern part of the state, according to Nyquist, who is also CEO of Michigan Blueberry Commission Grand Junction, Michigan.
North Bay Produce has focused its business on developing varieties, including Michigan-grown Sekoya blueberries, according to Klumpp.
“We are pleased to offer our state labels for blueberries this year, and they have been very well received by consumers and retailers. “Given growing consumer interest in purchasing local products, these labels, which are shaped like the states themselves, make it clear to consumers that they are choosing Michigan blueberries when they purchase our product.”
For decades, Midwest retailers have taken advantage of locally grown blueberries in Michigan to boost and improve blueberry sales year after year, adds Brad Moorer, president and CEO of MBG Marketinga grower-owned blueberry and blackberry marketing cooperative in Grand Junction, MI.
“Retailers have consistently seen same-store sales of blueberries increase when they can promote locally grown ones.”
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