By Tricia Phelps
Local edible gifts are easy to find if you know where to look. They make great gifts for food lovers near-and-far and can be personalized for nearly anyone in your life. Northern Michigan has access to numerous local, high-quality food producers whose products are unique and widely sought-after. As the gift-giving season is upon us, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few local businesses that make edible gift-giving easier than ever before.
Mi Farm Market is a family-run business that creates unique gift baskets available for sale year-round. The original store is located in Ellsworth, Michigan and a second opened in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons just last year. Mi Farm Market has compiled a collection of well-over 80 local food producers and they feature these producers and their products in made-to-order or pre-made gift arrangements. The arrangements are all presented in handcrafted wood orchard crates, which add a unique artisan quality to the overall package. You can visit either Mi Farm Market location or find them online at www.mifarmmarket.com
Food for Thought is based in Honor, MI. The company and its employees have the goal “to create and raise awareness around just and sustainable food.” They produce high-quality products while maintaining a commitment to the environment and healthy living. Their locally produced products range from preserves and salsas to olive oils and vinegar. Food for Thought makes it simple to purchase a single item as a gift or create a package of several products. All items can be purchased online at www.foodforthought.net
Cherry Republic is an exclusive retailer of cherry creations. What began on a small scale nearly 25 years ago has grown to four retail locations, a catalog business, thriving online sales and a line of over 170 cherry products. The product offerings are incredibly diverse, but they have one thing in common and that’s cherries. To purchase, you can visit any one of their retail stores in Glen Arbor, Charlevoix, Ann Arbor or Traverse City. To make it even easier, shop their wide array of product offerings online at www.cherryrepublic.com
Traverse Gourmet offers a collection of handpicked gourmet Michigan food items. The company emphasizes naturally produced, organic and fair-trade artisan food. Selecting a gift basket from Traverse Gourmet is simple, and because the gifts come packaged in a reusable, recycled cotton tote, the purchaser can feel comfort in making an environmentally conscious purchase as well. Shop online by gift, category or artisan at www.traversegourmet.com
Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate takes pride in crafting high quality chocolate from the bitter cacao bean. Their passion for chocolate stems from the understanding that “great chocolate starts with great people.” Grocer’s Daughter supports and maintains fair-trade practices to ensure that the small-scale farmers who grow their cacao beans make a fair living wage. With an added touch of local herbs, fruits & nuts, Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate pairs the best in chocolate with our own unique Northern Michigan flavors. Browse and buy Grocer’s Daughter Chocolates online at www.grocersdaughter.com or visit their storefront locations in Empire and Grand Rapids.
And a little hint for you. All of the above TLD retailers are hidden inside our TLD crossword puzzle.