07/10/2026
With the recent sh!tty situation happening throughout the state involving a pesky parasite that has been wreaking havoc on digestive systems across the country, I've found myself thinking a lot about something that's always been important to me: knowing where your food comes from.
Ironically, today's visit to our local farm stand is what got the wheels turning.
Whenever news like this breaks, I inevitably see comments asking, "Why don't restaurants just buy everything from local farmers?"
It's a fair question, and the answer is a little more nuanced than most people realize.
For me, knowing where my food comes from has never just been about food safety. It's about connection.
Whether it's produce, meat, seafood, dairy, or grains, I think there's value in knowing the people behind our food. The families who planted the seed, raised the livestock, harvested the crops, or milled the grain. There's an appreciation that comes from understanding not just what you're eating, but who made it possible.
Whenever possible, sourcing locally is always our first choice.
One of our favorite stops is Tye Thompson's Fresh Produce right here in Dundee, which is where I picked up this GORGEOUS crate of lettuce for an event Ive got this weekend.
We also love Wojcik Farms LLC in Tecumseh, who you can find most Saturdays from
9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Tecumseh's Farmers Market . And if you've never visited the Ann Arbor Farmers Market you're missing out.
Every week, dozens of local farms bring an incredible variety of fresh, seasonal produce and locally made products to the community.
As much as I love sourcing local whenever possible, the reality is, when you're catering events for 150, 300, or even 500 guests, the amount of produce required is enormous.
As much as I'd love to source every tomato, cucumber, berry, melon, and head of lettuce from local farms, farmers markets simply aren't always able to provide the consistent volume businesses like mine—and restaurants in general—need, especially during peak season.
So yes, we sometimes supplement with produce from trusted wholesalers and grocery suppliers.
Not because we don't value local agriculture, but because there are times when the demand exceeds what our local growers can reasonably supply.
But this is where consumers can make a real difference.
If we want more restaurants, caterers, schools, and institutions to buy local, we have to continue supporting the farmers who make that possible. Every trip to a farm stand. Every basket of cucumbers or bushel of bell peppers.
Every dozen ears of sweet corn. Every pound of tomatoes. Those purchases help local farms grow, invest, and expand their capacity so they can serve not only individual families, but businesses as well.
I also stopped at Harvest Market - Ann Arbor to pick up a few speciality items and was delighted to find items such as leeks, potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and cucumbers grown and harvested in Milan, Mi. which Ill be turning into soup and a delicious salad with locally made goat cheese from White Lotus Farms 🐐🍅🥒🥬
Supporting local agriculture isn't just about buying local when there's an outbreak in the news.
It's about making a conscious decision every week to invest in your community.
So this weekend, skip one stop at the supermarket and visit a farm stand or farmers market instead. Shake the farmer's hand. Ask what's in season. Learn where your food comes from.
Because good food doesn't just nourish our bodies.
It supports families, strengthens local agriculture, builds resilient food systems, and nourishes our communities. ❤️🌽🍅🥕
And make sure to swing by the Dundee, MI Farmers Market this Sunday from 10-2pm- Courtney, has been doing an OUTSTANDING job reinventing the market and bringing on new vendors to help meet the needs of the Dundee community., so make sure you stop by and show them some local 💙.
I'll be at the market with Charlotte the Charcuterie Cart on July 19th, so make sure to mark your 📅
