W Michigan Food Guide

An excellent resource is the West Michigan Guide to Local Food, which can be downloaded and saved on your computer as a PDF document. That link will also lead you to information regarding where you can find the newest edition.

The 2006-2007 Guide is currently online (03/08).

Guide Contents:

• Seasonal availability chart for produce
• Farmers' Markets
• Community Supported Agriculture
• Fruits and Vegetables, including U-Pick
• Processed Foods, including Meat, Dairy, Food Products
• Restaurants, Caterers
• Retail Outlets
• Other Resources
• Relevant and Colorful Advertisements
• More

Related Links:

• Food Shed
• Western Michigan Environmental Action Council
• Taste The Local Difference

An idea for someone to run with: expand the W Mich Food Guide to include ALL of Michigan.

Sunrise Acres (CSA - Lakeview)

Sunrise Acres has operated for two years as an organic CSA in Lakeview.

The growing season is from late May or early June until the frost cometh. The farm uses organic methods to raise vegetables and some fruit. Also, chickens and turkeys can be purchased through separate contracts. Weekly pick-ups are made at the farm.

Sunrise Acres uses animal powered equipment, and members are invited to attend a get-together after the season has ended.

Payment Options

• $20 before April 1
• $30 before May 1
• $60 after May 1
• $12/half bushel per week

Contact the farm through a written letter. Please also include a SASE.

1768 85th Ave.
Lakeview, MI 48850

(Again, thanks to the Swiers for sharing this info.)

Diversity Farm (CSA - Morley)

Diversity Farm, a CSA in Morley, has used organic practices to grow produce for three years.

The West Michigan Food Guide lists this description: "We are a family farm raising grass fed lamb, pork, chicken, and eggs. We also have cow shares available from our dairy cows, and a CSA for fresh, quality vegetables. We use no hormones, pesticides, GMO’s, or antibiotics."

Their growing season is from late May to late October, when weekly half-bushels of fruits and vegetables are to be picked-up at the farm. Separate contracts can be made for meat, poultry, eggs, milk, butter, grains, flour and honey.

Other benefits include animal powered equipment and a get-together at the end of the season.

Payment Options

• $30 before April 1
• $60 before May 1
• $15 / half bushel per week

Contact the farm through traditional mail and please include a SASE.

Atlee & Mary Yoder
14750 Six Mile Rd.
Morley, MI 49336

Thanks to the Swiers for sharing this info.

Swier Family Farm (CSA - Remus/Barryton)

The Swier Family Farm is a CSA (community supported agriculture) in Mecosta County that is beginning its third year (2008).

From the farm flyer:

"For 18 weeks, June through September, you will receive a 4-12 pound assortment of fresh vegetables and limited flowers. The quantity and variety will vary seasonally. If you like mixed bouquets we have added an additional flower share. We will deliver the produce to central drop-off locations or you can pick it up at the farm. We practice organic methods, though we are not certified."

Payment Options (Due by April 1)

• $325 Pay full amount
• $55 Flower Share (8 wks. mixed bouquets)
• Contact Chris or Kate for other options or to express interest in pasture-raised chicken, turkey or pork.

I talked with one member of this CSA who really appreciated the experience last year. I know Green Tree (214 N. Franklin St., Mt. Pleasant) is one drop-off point, but you'll need to contact the farm to learn where other drop-offs are.

Want to volunteer? Just contact Chris or Kate about possibilities.

For more information, pick-up the farm's brochure at Green Tree or contact the Swiers (sh-ware).

640 18 Mile Road
Remus, MI 49340
(989) 382-5436

swierfamilyfarm at yahoo.com

Buggy Ridge Farms (Edmore)

Buggy Ridge Farms raises cattle, turkeys, chicken and goats using sustainable practices. "Our animals are never confined and roam around to forage at their leisure." Pesticides and commercial fertilizers have not been used in more than 20 years.

"Our beef, poultry and goats are seasonally fresh in spring, summer and fall. We grow our free range pasturized broilers between May and November and can usually sell live or dressed birds."

Visit the farm's website for more details (buggyridge.com).

2357 E. Lake Montcalm Rd.
Edmore, MI 48829
(989) 763-0001