At Family Fare, we are proud to support Michigan businesses by offering locally and regionally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, and other products throughout our stores. From hometown brews to nearby salsa we carry over 2,000 local items.
Founded in 1981, Schuil Coffee is a 2nd generation family owned business. They were Michigan’s first-ever specialty (high-end) coffee roaster. They offer more than 100 types of coffee, ranging from very rare and expensive coffees to more affordable blends and flavored coffees.
Started in 1994 with 120 acres, Todd Greiner Farms now spans over 2000 acres in Hart, MI. Todd and his wife Sarah have been growing pumpkins for over 25 years, and grow quality fruits, vegetables, and evergreens as well. Todd takes great pride in his pumpkins and loves seeing them on display at Family Fare.
Founded in 1946, Country Fresh is owned and supplied by over 275 dairy farms across Michigan. They employ over 350 Michiganders, focusing on reducing environmental impact and producing the highest-quality milk around.
Matt Huizenga is the 5th generation owner and operator of Huizenga Brothers Greenhouse, which was originally founded in 1908 as a lettuce and tomato farm, before switching to flowers in 1970. Matt loves selling to Family Fare as he can reach every store in less than a day, minimizing the amount of time his flowers have to spend on a truck.
Locally grown food is full of flavor. When grown locally, the crops are picked at their peak of ripeness versus being harvested early in order to be shipped and distributed to your local retail store. Many times produce at local markets has been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.
Eating local food is eating seasonally. Even though we wish strawberries were grown year round in Michigan, the best time to eat them is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower. They are full of flavor and taste better than the ones available in the winter that have traveled thousands of miles and picked before they were ripe.
Local food has more nutrients. Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased. Food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has traveled and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store.
Local food supports the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community. Local food benefits the environment. By purchasing locally grown foods you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in your community.
Local foods promote a safer food supply. The more steps there are between you and your food’s source the more chances there are for contamination. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues at harvesting, washing, shipping and distribution.
“Benefits of Locally Grown” courtesy of Michigan State University MSU Extension. | Local Business Partners map does not represent all vendors carried by Family Fare and icon placement is approximate
Find out more about our local business partners by selecting locations in the map below: