If you’re anything like I used to be, your eyes roll every time you hear of yet another “best of” accolade for the Grand Traverse region. I’ve long been a bit cynical about community self-aggrandizement. But last week, while taking a trip to the East Coast with my wife and kid, my cranky world-view received a great big blow. So now I must say, “Mea culpa, Traverse City!”
It’s a fresh Northern Michigan Wednesday morning. From many feet away, you can hear the noise of the Sara Hardy Farmers Market. You can hear the chattering floating through the air along with laughter of children and other bustling noises that add to the energy that surrounds the market.
Tom’s is the proving ground for a new marketing strategy featuring brightly colored “shelf talker” labels, designed to help shoppers identify the local food throughout the stores. The shelf talkers also show how far each product was grown or made from that particular store, helping consumers determine for themselves what “local” means to them.
They’ve arrived! You have 2-3 weeks to go to the farmer’s market and pick up your own quart of these sweet, beautiful berries. I bought mine from Bardenhagen Berries and I can guarantee they are absolutely delicious. (Editor’s note: She’s not lying. Holy cow!)
Buying local is a personal choice. But what our research appears to be saying is: Don’t judge local products by their price alone. Take a minute to understand the impact the production of cheap food, made thousands of miles away, has on the community where you live.
So far this summer, one of my favorite things to do is leave the office on a Wednesday morning to run down to the farmers market.