Michigan Strawberry Season 2013

June 11, 2013

The Picking Has Begun

It’s finally time. After a long wait for Michigan grown fruit which seems even longer because of how bad last year’s fruit season one, Michigan strawberry season is upon us. The timing this year has been pretty normal, compared to last year when the season started Memorial Day weekend. The temperature and rainfall this spring has been wonderful for the crops. A bountiful harvest awaits you. Time to get out in the field and start picking. Or if you are unable to you can buy strawberries at road side stands or at some select retailers such as Whole Foods Market and the Produce Station in Ann Arbor. Keep in mind the season goes back fast and so do the supplies in stores so it’s always good to call ahead whether you going to the store or directly to the farm. I know that the Whole Foods in Ann Arbor sold out of their first shipment in less than 24 hours!

Make sure to like my u-pick facebook page to receive updates on all kinds of Michigan u-pick fruit news throughout the year.

Here is a list of some farms that are offering u-pick. This info is coming directly from the farms.

Rowe’s Produce Farm (Ypsilanti, MI) | Read about my experience from June 2010
Picking began SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH
The price of the strawberries is $1.78 per pound and they still furnish the containers for FREE.
Hours are 7 am to 8 pm daily. (ripe berries and weather permitting)
Call the farm at 734-482-8538 for the most current picking info.

Whittaker Berry Farm (Ida, MI) | Read my experience from June 2011
Picking began SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH
The price is $1.42/lb. u-pick, containers are free. Already picked berries will be available beginning Monday, June 10th, fresh off the vine for $3.25/qt.
Farm hours are 8am-8pm Monday-Friday, and 8am-5pm Saturday & Sunday.

Frank Farms (Berrien Center, MI) | Check out their facebook page
Picking begins SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH
Price this year will be $1.25 per pound, which is the same as last year!
They will be open everyday 7am – 7pm

Harvey’s Farm (Tekonsha, MI) | Check out their facebook page
Picking began THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH
Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prices for u-pick $1.75 per quart and already picked berries are $3.75 per quart. or $22.00 for a ten pound box (6.5 to 7 qrts).
For already picked berries call (517) 767-3408 for orders.
For pick your own customers bring mosquito repellant.
Pick in their quart boxes, bring something to take berries home in.

DeGroots Strawberry Farm (Gregory, MI) | Check out their facebook page
They expect to begin picking sometime after Father’s Day.

KlineKrest USDA Certified Organic Produce Farm (Lyons, MI) | Check out their website
Picking begins SATURDAY, JUNE 17TH
They will have a very limited supply of organic strawberries for picking. Call 616.902.1587 or 989.855.2536; Larry or Bea Kline

Visser Farms (Zeeland, MI) | Check out their facebook page
Picking began on TUESDAY, JUNE 11TH
Their hours are Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday Closed
The price per pound is $1.65/lb

U-Pick

Michigan Fruit Crop Frost Report 2013

May 13, 2013

by Eric Samuelson 0 comments

I am very passionate about local produce. There is nothing like getting a piece of ripe fruit in season grown close by. The flavors and variety cannot be beat. That is why I closely follow the fruit crops here in Michigan. I was been concerned since late last week that we could be in for some damage to the tree crops with a frost warning in place for the early hours of Monday, May 13th, 2013. This morning I decided to share with you what local farms are saying on their facebook pages about the damage. It’s been good news/bad news this morning. Some places at least stayed above 30 degrees including the biggest apple growing fruit ridge on the west side of the state (see report from MLive). However I have read reports of significant damages being done.

Facebook Quotes

Middleton Berry Farm (Ortonville, MI) | Facebook page
“We ran the irrigation all night to protect the strawberries from frost damage. Picking season will probably start sometime in mid-June.”

Bixby Orchards (Berrien Springs, MI) | Facebook page
“Thank you to everyone who prayed for us last night! As of this point we think everything looks ok, but it’s still a little to early to tell. The temps stayed right at 32, which is much better than forecasted! We did run irrigation on strawberries all night, so a nap will be in order for Bryan today!”

On their apricot trees”…very happy to have made it thru the night with no freezing temps! So far everything looks ok here!”

Whittaker’s Berry Farm (Ida, MI) | Facebook page | My visit to this farm
“Brrr! If you came to the farm this morning, this is what you’d see! With ground temps. dipping to 22 degrees we irrigated our berries all night. By irrigating at these temps. the berries become covered and insulated in a layer of ice-keeping them at a steady 32degrees, and protecting tender new buds and blossoms from any frost damage. It’s a beautiful and amazing sight! We’re now approximately 30 days from harvest. See you in a few short weeks!”

Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill (Ada, MI) | Facebook page
“RIP 2013 apple crop. 27 degrees pretty much did the whole crop in last night. Good news for the apple community in Michigan is that initial report is showing Sparta “the ridge” only got down to 30.8 degrees”

Seedling Fruit (South Haven, MI) | Facebook page
“Well, it got cold…we dipped below freezing for a bit. Now we wait…will start checking buds later today….hopefully not too bad though.”

Nye’s Apple Barn (St. Joesph, MI) | Facebook page
“It appears that the damage from last night will be (hopefully) minimal. It is still too early to tell, we won’t really know for a few weeks. We are hoping that the only damage will be to the lower branches.”

Michigan Apples| Michigan Apricots| Michigan Farms| Michigan Peaches| Michigan Strawberries

Fruit & Vegetables U-Pick

Best Turkey Deals or Sales in Michigan (2012)

November 5, 2012

by Eric Samuelson 3 comments

It’s time once again to talk turkey and talk about where to find them in you are living in the mitten state. Thanksgiving is coming as early in the month as possible this year. So you may not have as much time as you think to get your bird for the big day. I will be sharing more sales and deals as times goes on. You can pre-order fresh birds now at many places. Most chains stores should beginning their sales the week of November 11th and I will have that info at that time.

Also check out these other Thanksgiving-related topics: What is a Self-Basted Turkey?, Essential Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools, Pop-Up Timers, Pumpkin Recipes.

The Produce Station
Ann Arbor
They have these fresh turkeys available. Orders must be made no later than Monday, November 19th.
1) Gast Farms White Broad‐Breasted Free Range Turkeys
Great tasting, white‐broad‐breasted turkeys raised in Eau Claire, Michigan by Ed Gast on his small family farm. Gast Farms turkeys are hormone and antibiotic‐free! Available in a size ranges of 11 ‐ 14 lbs., 15 – 18 lbs. (exact weights vary by turkey).
$3.99/pound (uncooked) $6.99/pound (cooked)

2) All Natural Premium Fresh Plainville Farms Turkeys
Juicy and tender ready‐to‐roast birds! These birds are grown in an animal friendly environment free from antibiotics &
growth hormones. They are Heart‐Lite with all natural ingredients! Raised in Plainville, NY.
Available in ranges of 11–13 lb., 14–16 lb., 18–20 lb., 20‐22 lb. birds (exact weights vary by turkey).
$3.99/pound (uncooked) $6.99/pound (cooked)

Arbor Farms
Ann Arbor
1) Peacock Amish Fresh Turkey – $2.49/lb.
This is the same quality turkey they have been enjoying for over 25 years. Natural (no preservatives or additives), minimally-processed without growth hormones, and fresh from farms in Northern Indiana.

2) Mary’s Fresh Organic Turkey – $4.99/lb.
Certified USDA organic and fed a vegetarian-based diet of organic grains. Growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products are never used. Humanely-raised “free-range” on a certified organic farm in California.

3) Michigan Fresh Turkey – $3.99/lb.
Raised on pasture at one of two small turkey farms in the northwestern Michigan community of Mancelona. The birds are allowed to graze the pasture during daylight hours; as night falls they are chased back into the brooder barns for safety. The turkeys have ample room to run and exercise, dine on bugs and grasshoppers, and roost under beautiful shade trees as nature intended. Their forage diet is supplemented with a Non-GMO, allvegetarian feed. No growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products
are used in the feed. Artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are never used on the farms. Our Michigan turkeys are grazing on bugs and grasses and roaming freely, giving them an unmatched texture and flavor.

Meijer
Various locations throughout the state. Prices may be slightly different in each store, check your store to be sure.
Get $10 off a Hen turkey (10-15 lb) with an additional $20 purchase.
Get $17 off a Tom turkey (over 16 lbs) with an additional $20 purchase.

Trader Joe’s
Ann Arbor, Northville, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, and Gross Pointe
1) Trader Joe’s All Natural, Brined, Fresh Young Turkeys (12-22 pound birds) for $1.99 per pound
2) Trader Joe’s Glatt Kosher, All Natural, Fresh Young Turkeys (12-16 pound birds) for $2.49 per pound

Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market
Clinton Township and Shelby Township
They are taking orders for Peacock 100% All Natural Fresh Amish Young Turkeys, Bell & Evans Fresh All Natural Turkey, and Bell & Evans Fresh All Natural Organic Turkey

Busch’s
Ann Arbor, Saline, Clinton, Tecumseh, Dexter, Pinckney, South Lyon, Plymouth/Northville, Carleton, Livonia, Novi, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and Rochester Hills.
Prices good from 11/12/11 to 11/28/11
1) Jennie-O Frozen Turkey for $.69/lb (with $25 additional purchase)

Country Market
Jackson, Chelsea, Brooklyn, Adrian, and Dexter
Prices good from 11/18/11 to 11/14/11
1) Butterball Frozen Turkey for $1.49/lb
2) Honeysuckle Frozen Turkey for $1.29/lb

Hiller’s
Ann Arbor, Berkley, Commerce Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake, and West Bloomfield.
Prices good Nov 12-25. Here are the list of turkeys available at Hiller’s stores
1) Amish Valley or Timber Valley Fresh Amish Turkeys for $1.69/lb
2) Organic Blackwing Hen Turkey for $3.99/lb
3) All Natural Organic Bells & Evans Fresh Hen Turkeys (the turkey served at the White House) for $3.49/lb
4) Empire Kosher Fresh Turkeys for $3.49/lb
5) Empire Kosher Frozen Turkeys for $2.99/lb
6) Empire Kosher Frozen Turkey Breast for $4.29/lb
7) Northern Pride Self-basting Frozen Turkey

Whole Foods Market
Two locations in Ann Arbor, as well as stores in Troy, Rochester Hills, and West Bloomfield.
1) Valerie’s Family Farm Brined Whole Turkey $1.99/lb
2) Nature’s Rancher Turkey – Fresh, Never Frozen $1.99/lb
3) Larry Schultz Organic Turkey $3.49/lb
4) Bone-In Turkey Breast $4.99/lb
5) Bone-In Organic Turkey Breast $7.99/lb
6) Boneless Turkey Breast $6.99/lb

Kroger
Various locations throughout the state. Prices may be slightly different in each store, check your store to be sure.
Prices good 11/14/11 to 11/20/11
1) Kroger Frozen Turkey $.69/lb (with $10 additional purchase)
2) Honeysuckle Fresh Turkey $1.59/lb
3) Honeysuckle or Private Selection Frozen Turkey $1.39/lb
4) Butterball Frozen Turkey $1.69

SuperOne Foods
Locations in the Upper Peninsula cities of Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Ironwood, Marquette, and Negaunee.
1) Jennie-O Frozen Turkeys for $.77/lb.
2) Jennie-O Fresh Turkey $2.50 off with coupon from ad
3) Honeysuckle Frozen Turkey for $1.69/lb

Neiman’s Family Market
Locations in Alpena, Tawas, and St. Clair.
1) Jennie-o frozen turkeys for $.69/lb with an additional $25 purchase and coupon.

Ric’s Food Center
Locations in Mt. Pleasant, Ithaca, Hemlock, Interlochen, Rockford, and Cannon Township.
1) Shurfresh Frozen Turkey for $.69/lb (limit 1 with additional $25 purchase)
2) Amish Country Fresh Turkey for $1.69/lb

D&W Fresh Market
Locations in Caledonia, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Holland, Kalamazoo, Portage, Rockford, and Williamston.
Offering a free hen turkeuy with 1,800 yes pts, and free tom turkey with 2,800 yes points.
1) Spartan brand Frozen Turkeys for $.58/lb with an additional $10 purchase
2) Butterball Frozen Turkeys for $1.39/lb
3) Frozen Bone-In Turkey Breast for $1.49/lb

Plumb’s
Locations in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, Newaygo, N. Muskegon, and Whitehall.
1) Spartan brand Frozen Turkeys for $.99/lb with additional $25 purchase

Tom’s Food Market
Locations in Traverse City, Williamsburg, Northport, and Interlochen.
They have coupons in their ad for $9 off any 12-18lb Spartan or Butterball frozen turkeys or Spartan fresh turkeys. Or you can get $16 off any 18.01 lb or larger Spartan or Butterball frozen turkeys or Spartan fresh turkeys.

Glen’s Market
Locations in Alma, Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, East Jordan, Frankfort, Gaylord, Grayling, Harrison, Houghton Lake, Kalkaska, Lewiston, Mancelona, Manistee, Marion, Mio, Munising, Oscoda, Petoskey, Rogers City, Roscommon, Rose City, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Standish, Traverse City, and West Branch.
1) Spartan brand frozen turkeys for $.79/lb with an additional $10 purchase.
2) Frozen Bone-In Turkey Breast for $1.88/lb

Western Market
Ferndale
Fresh Peacock Brand Amish Turkeys $1.99/lb

Turkey

Cranberry Harvest Day @ DeGrandchamp’s (South Haven, Michigan)

September 17, 2012

by Eric Samuelson 0 comments

I wanted to take a moment to share with my Michigan readers a cool local event to check out. DeGrandchamp’s in South Haven, Michigan will be having a Cranberry Harvest Day on Saturday, October 13th from 10am to 4pm. You will have a chance to take a hay wagon ride out to their cranberry bogs. Watch how they harvest their cranberries. It would be a fun event for the family and a great lesson for the kids.

The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. If you have questions call them at 269-637-3915 or visit their website.

DeGrandchamp’s grows cranberries for Ocean Spray as well as running a u-pick blueberry operation. The Ocean Spray fresh cranberries and juices you find in Michigan might have been grown at DeGrandchamp’s.

To give you a peak at what you might see, I included a video of a cranberry harvest elsewhere.

Cranberries| Michigan Farms

Where I Buy Food

Michigan Strawberry Season 2012 – Picking Begins Memorial Day

May 27, 2012

by Eric Samuelson 0 comments

After one of the craziest winters and springs weather wise ever, the first fruit of the season from the Great Lakes States is ripe for the picking. Many u-picks farms are reporting they are planting to open for strawberry season on Memorial Day or close to it. Strawberry season is short, usually lasting no more than 3 weeks, so if you plan to do some picking, get your plans in order.

Make sure to like my u-pick facebook page to receive updates on all kinds of Michigan u-pick fruit news throughout the year.

Here is a list of some farms that are offering u-pick. This info is coming directly from the farms.

Rowe’s Produce Farm (Ypsilanti, MI) | Read about my experience from June 2010
Picking starts MONDAY MAY 28TH !
Memorial day hours : 7 AM TO 5 PM
The price of the strawberries is $1.64 per pound (the containers are FREE)
Normal hours are 7 am to 8 pm daily. (ripe berries and weather permitting)

Whittaker Berry Farm (Ida, MI) | Read my experience from June 2011
Picking starts MONDAY, MAY 28TH, 8:00am-8:00pm.
The berries being picked Monday are called Honeoye
The price is $1.30/lb (containers are free).
Already picked berries will also be available fresh off the vine for $3.25/qt.
Upon opening Monday, farm hours will be: Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Season should last 18-21 days..WEATHER DEPENDENT!

Frank Farms (Berrien Center, MI) | Check out their facebook page
Strawberry U-Pick start will open on May 31st at 7am. Price this year will be $1.25 per pound

Harvey’s Farm (Tekonsha, MI) | Check out their facebook page
Open all Memorial Day weekend. Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 pm. and Sunday and Monday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m

DeGroots Strawberry Farm (Gregory, MI) | Check out their facebook page
They expect to begin picking the 2nd week of June.

Michigan Farms| Strawberry| U-Pick

U-Pick

Asparagus Season Comes Early in Michigan (2012)

April 14, 2012

by Eric Samuelson 0 comments

Asparagus season has begun in Michigan, thanks to a mild winter and a March heat wave. Asparagus is definitely one of those things that I prefer to buy in season and only in season. The sweetness and tenderness of in season asparagus cannot be beat. I heard “rumors” that asparagus was making it’s season debut at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market this morning. Also the Produce Station (also in Ann Arbor) is thinking they will have Michigan asparagus this coming week.

Due to the crop coming early, there is a huge need for workers to harvest the crop. Many farms in Michigan depend on workers coming from southern states to harvest the crop. However those workers typically don’t arrive to the state this early, so some farmers were concerned about getting enough help. But in a state with a high unemployment rate you would hope they would be able to find plenty of help. If you are looking for or know someone who needs some work even temporary, you should contact the State of Michigan Workforce Development Agency or check with the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board. I heard a job fair was hosted early this week in the Muskegon area.

Here are a few other asparagus related posts:
Alton Brown’s Roasted Asparagus
FAQ: When and How Long is Asparagus Season?
FAQ: How is Purple Asparagus Different from Green Asparagus?
FAQ: Does Purple Asparagus Change Green When Cooked?

Asparagus| Michigan Farms| Michigan Grocery Stores

Fruit & Vegetables

When Does Plum Season Begin (and End)?

April 3, 2012

by Eric Samuelson 3 comments

When it comes to eating fruit, I love my stone fruit. From cherries to peaches to plums, some of the sweetest, tastiest tree grown food on earth are stone fruits. One of the three fruits I mentioned plums are the most unique. Most cherry and peach varieties are hard to tell apart. Not the case with plums. They are so many colors of plums – black, purple, red, yellow, and everything in between. Plums are also the only fruit of those three that I haven’t written about when they are in season. So I thought it was about time! Since stone fruit is typically only good when it’s in season. So you have to know when the season begins and ends.

When Does Plum Season Generally Run?
Plums are generally in season somewhere in the United States from the end of May all the way into October. The varieties that have their origins in Japan ripen first, and the European varieties, which we usually refer to as prune plums, ripen later.

California Plums
California is the number 1 producer of plums in the United States. They ship plums all over the country, so there is a good chance you are finding California plums in your grocery store. The California plums start to ripen usually in late May. The season goes until around the start of September.

Michigan Plums
My home state of Michigan ranks 4th in plum production. Michigan grows more of the European style prune plums like the Stanley variety but you can also find the Japanese varieties grown in the state. Stanley plums are available right around the start of apple season in September. Due to the extremely mild winter experienced in Michigan this year, plum trees began blooming in March. Hopefully no more hard freezes occur. Plums could be really early in 2012.

Plums in the Winter
Because we import a lot of fruit in this country, you can find plums in the store year round. The plums you tend to find in the winter are from Chile. I typically shy away from fruit grown half a world away, but this past winter, I tried some lemon plums that were grown in Chile and they were delicious.

What about Pluots or Plumcot?
A pluots, also called a plumcot is a combination apricot and plum, with plum being more dominant. These were developed more recently and have become quite popular. The peak season for pluots is around the end of summer.

California Farms| California plums| Michigan Farms| Michigan plums| Plums

Fruit & Vegetables

Where to Buy Bison (Buffalo) Meat in Michigan?

January 10, 2012

by Eric Samuelson 6 comments

One thing I like to do on this site is include information that I myself am looking for. I am looking into sources where I can buy bison meat. It’s not as readily available as beef, so I have had to search out some local sources. It was quite a search. I could only find a handful of sources. I found one website listing a bunch of places in Michigan but I could not find specific information (including contact info) about most of the listings.

So why bison? Well it is lower in fat and higher in protein than beef. I made a pot roast out of a bison chuck roast and I found it to be just as delicious, but without the huge chunks of fat. So this page lists all the places that I found in Michigan that carries bison meat. There are two listings, one for grocery stores and the other for buying direct from the farm (your best option!). If you have bought bison meat in Michigan, please share that info in the comments below. I would love to add your info my list.

Grocery Store Listings

Meijer | Locations throughout the state
I recently started seeing ground bison showing up at Meijer stores. I have seen it at the locations in Marysville and Ann Arbor. Hopefully it’s available in most locations. If you have found at your local Meijer store recently, please leave a comment below, sharing the store location.

Whole Foods Market | Locations in Ann Arbor (2), Troy, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield
Whole Foods carries some bison meat. They pretty much always have ground bison. Sometimes they have bison chuck roast (which makes for an excellent pot roast) and New York strip. There are 5 locations in the state of Michigan.

Hiller’s | Locations in Ann Arbor, Berkley, Commerce Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake, and West Bloomfield.
Hiller’s carries High Plains Bison products. They have 100% Bison Hot Dogs, Filet Mignon, New York Strip, and Ground Bison.

Oleson’s Food Stores | Locations in Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City (2), and Manistee.
According to their website, they do offer bison meat, but it says the aren’t currently accepting orders. Contact the specific store for more info.

Veldheer Tulip Gardens | Located in Holland, MI
Not quite a grocery store, but this place that specializes in tulips, also sells bison meat. Check their website out for more info.

Marquette Meats | 3060 W. US 41 Marquette (Next to Westwood Mall)
Marquette Meats offers ground bison and bison steaks. Visit the store for pricing information and selection.

Arbor Farms | 2103 West Stadium Boulevard Ann Arbor, MI 48103-3896
Arbor Farms has a couple options for ground bison meat, located in their freezer section. If you want to buy already made bison patties for burgers they have that there.

Nino Salvaggio | Locations in St. Clair Shores, Clinton Township, and Troy
They sell bison patties in their freezer section for $9.99/lb

Ben’s Supercenter | Located in Brown City
Ben’s offers a complete line of locally raised bison meat.

Trader Joe’s | Locations in Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, Northville, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Gross Pointe
For Christmas 2012, I got my wife some bison jerky from Trader Joe’s

Dick’s Meat Market | Adrian
They carry frozen bison (ground and steaks)

Jerry’s Market | Tecumseh
They carry frozen ground bison already formed into patties.

Farm Listings

Schultz Fruitridge Farms | 60139 County Road 652 Mattawan, MI 49071
They have bison meat available year around. You need to call in advance for meat cuts, prices, and sales. Their phone number is 269-668-3724.

AJ’s Bison | 456 W. Hatmaker Road, Bronson, MI 49208
Has USDA inspected meat. For more information call them at (517) 369-9037

Peaceable Kingdom Bison Ranch | 810-387-2237
They sell bison meat at the Lapeer Farmer’s Market and Vantage Point Farmers Market (July to October) in Port Huron.

Cushman Bison Farms | 2427 W. 32 Road, Boon, MI 49601
Cushman Bison Farms located just north of Cadalliac in Boon, has bison jerky, steaks, roasts, and burgers. You can purcahse their meat through their website.

Butcher Boy Food Products | 13869 Herbert, Warren, MI 48089
Butcher Boy sells bison steaks, roasts, ground bison, hot dogs, and more. For a full product list and more information, please visit their website.

TMZ Farms | Available at True Value Hardware on Main St (M-36) in Pinckney, MI
TMZ Farms sells their meat at the True Value Hardware store in Pinckney. They also offer ordering over the phone. Call (734) 878-6425

Bison In the Kitchen

Best Turkey Deals or Sales in Michigan (2011)

November 4, 2011

by Eric Samuelson 3 comments

If you are looking for deals for 2012, check out my 2012 deals and sales page.

It’s that time of year again, time to talk turkey. Finding the perfect bird is essential for a great Thanksgiving meal. Once again this year I will be keeping track of deals, sales, and prices of both frozen and fresh turkeys from places across the great state of Michigan. As I will be adding more listings as I discover them. If you have found a great deal, make sure to tell me about in the comment section below. Or if you are looking for a great deal in your area, tell me where your from, and I will try to provide you with some info on your local area.

Also check out these other Thanksgiving-related topics: What is a Self-Basted Turkey?, Essential Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools, Pop-Up Timers, Pumpkin Recipes.

The Produce Station
Ann Arbor
1) Gast Farms White Broad-Breasted Free Range Turkeys (raised in Eau Claire, MI)
These turkeys are hormone and antibiotic-free, raised on a small farm in northern Michigan. The weight will range from between 20 to 30 pounds. Cost: $3.99/pound (uncooked) $6.99/pound (cooked)

2) Premium Fresh Peacock’s Poultry Farms Turkeys (raised in Troy, MI)
These turkeys are preservative and hormone-free raised in open houses with plenty of room, fresh water and feed.
Available in sizes from 11 lbs up to 20 lbs. Cost: $2.49/pound (uncooked) $5.99/pound (cooked)

Arbor Farms
Ann Arbor
1) Peacock Amish fresh turkey $1.99/lb.
Natural (no preservatives or additives), minimally-processed without growth hormones, and fresh from farms in Northern Indiana.

2) Michigan Amish fresh turkey $3.99/lb.
Raised on pasture at Hillcrest Farm by David Schmucker of the Amish community in Homer, Michigan.

3) Plainville Farms fresh turkey $3.99/lb.
Raised on a centennial family farm in central New York, these turkeys
are raised in pens with barnyard access in a process that is “Certified
Humane”.

4) Mary’s fresh organic turkey $4.99/lb.
Certified USDA organic and raised on a vegetarian-based diet of organic grains.

To order any of these turkeys visit the store service desk or call (734)996-8111

Busch’s
Ann Arbor, Saline, Clinton, Tecumseh, Dexter, Pinckney, South Lyon, Plymouth/Northville, Carleton, Livonia, Novi, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and Rochester Hills.
Prices good from 11/14/11 to 11/20/11
1) Jennie-O Frozen Turkey for $.57/lb (with $25 additional purchase)
2) Fresh Peacock Farms Turkey for $1.79/lb

Country Market
Jackson, Chelsea, Brooklyn, Saline, Adrian, and Dexter
Prices good from 11/16/11 to 11/29/11
1) Amish Country Frozen Turkey for $.68/lb (with $25 additional purchase)
2) Amish Country Fresh Turkey for $1.59/lb
3) Butterball Frozen Turkey for $1.29/lb
4) Honeysuckle Frozen Turkey for $1.19/lb

Meijer
Various locations throughout the state. Prices may be slightly different in each store, check your store to be sure.
For the week of 11/13/11, Get $9 off a Hen turkey (10-15 lb) with an additional $20 purchase.
Get $16 off a Tom turkey (over 16 lbs) with an additional $20 purchase.

Hiller’s
Ann Arbor, Berkley, Commerce Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake, and West Bloomfield.
Prices good Nov 14-27. Here are the list of turkeys available at Hiller’s stores
1) Amish Valley or Timber Valley Fresh Amish Turkeys for $1.69/lb
2) Organic Blackwing Hen Turkey for $3.99/lb
3) All Natural Organic Bells & Evans Fresh Hen Turkeys (the turkey served at the White House) for $2.99/lb
4) Empire Kosher Fresh Turkeys for $3.29/lb
5) Empire Kosher Frozen Turkeys for $2.89/lb
6) Empire Kosher Frozen Turkey Breast for $3.99/lb
7) Prestage Foods Frozen Turkeys for $.88/lb (with $25 additional purchase)

Kroger
Various locations throughout the state. Prices may be slightly different in each store, check your store to be sure.
Prices good 11/14/11 to 11/20/11
1) Riverside Frozen Turkey $.59/lb (with $10 additional purchase)
2) Honeysuckle Fresh Turkey $1.59/lb
3) Honeysuckle or Private Selection Frozen Turkey $1.19/lb
4) Honeysuckle Frozen Bone-In Turkey Breast $1.79/lb

Neiman’s Family Market
Locations in Alpena, Tawas, and St. Clair.
1) Spartan brand frozen turkeys for $.69/lb with an additional $25 purchase.
2) Frozen Bone-In Whole Turkey Breast for $1.69/lb

D&W Fresh Market
Locations in Caledonia, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Holland, Kalamazoo, Portage, Rockford, and Williamston.
1) Spartan brand frozen turkeys for $.58/lb with an additional $10 purchase.
2) Butterball Frozen Turkeys for $1.28/lb
3) Frozen Bone-In Turkey Breast for $1.49/lb

Plumb’s
Locations in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, Newaygo, N. Muskegon, and Whitehall.
1) Spartan brand frozen turkeys for $.99/lb
2) Spartan brand fresh turkey for $1.59/lb
3) Butterball Frozen Turkey for $1.59/lb
4) Honeysuckle Frozen Turkey Breast for $1.59/lb

Glen’s Market
Locations in Alma, Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, East Jordan, Frankfort, Gaylord, Grayling, Harrison, Houghton Lake, Kalkaska, Lewiston, Mancelona, Manistee, Marion, Mio, Munising, Oscoda, Petoskey, Rogers City, Roscommon, Rose City, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Standish, Traverse City, and West Branch.
1) Spartan brand frozen turkeys for $.68/lb with an additional $10 purchase.
2) Butterball Frozen Turkey for $1.38/lb
3) Frozen Bone-In Turkey Breast for $1.69/lb

Nino Salvaggio
Locations in St. Clair Shores, Troy, and Clinton Township.
1) Boneless Turkey Breast for $3.99/lb
2) Fresh Amish Turkey for $1.79/lb

Plum Market
Locations in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield, and West Bloomfield.
1) All Natural Fresh Free Range Turkey $1.99/lb
2) All Natural Bell & Evans® Turkey $3.29/lb.
3) All Natural Empire Kosher Turkey $3.49/lb
4) Organic Bell & Evans® Turkey Price $4.49/lb

Holiday Market Canton
1) Fresh Whole Turkey Breast Bone-In $1.99/lb
2) Peach Fresh Amish Turkey $1.99/lb

Western Market
Ferndale
Fresh Peacock Brand Amish Turkeys $1.99/lb

Turkey

Where to Find SweeTango Apples in 2011?

September 5, 2011

by Eric Samuelson 9 comments

Click here to find out where they are available for 2012.

It’s that time of year again. Time for your taste buds to dance with the arrival of the SweeTango apple to the marketplace. This page is your source for where to find this great apple this year. I will update it as much as I can, as I hear of more and more places that have the apple available. Please keep in mind this list is only listing places that are expected to have them. I can’t guarantee exact availability, which is why it’s best to call before you go.

Farms that belong to the Next Big Thing Growers’ Co-op will have them available at their farm market, stands, and farmer’s markets. The grocery stores will be supplied by 3 main sources. Stemilt supplies them to stores that are west of the Rocky Mountains. Pepin Heights supplies them to the Midwest. Fowler Farms serves the East Coast. There is also a source that ships in Canada. Walmart stores are expected to receive shipments this year, but that may only include select locations.

Lists of Locations for SweeTango by State

Michigan
1. Rennhack Orchards Market (3731 W Polk Rd, Hart, MI, 49420 – Phone: 231-873-7523)
2. Bakker’s Acres (2677 Setterbo Road Suttons Bay, MI 49682 – Phone: 231-271-3673) is expecting to have them in 1-2 weeks (as of Sept 1st)
3. Busch’s stores as of September 21st had them in stock.
4. Plum Market in Ann Arbor, MI has Michigan grown SweeTango.
5. According to the Detroit Free Press these stores expect to have SweeTango sometime this year:
Nino Salvaggio (St. Clair Shores, Troy, Clinton Township)
Papa Joe’s (Rochester, Birmingham)
Hiller’s (Ann Arbor, Berkley, Commerce Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake, West Bloomfield)
Westborn Market (Dearborn, Berkley, Livonia)

Minnesota
1. The AppleHouse which is a part of the University of Minnesota Arboretum (located 1.5 miles west of the Arboretum entrance in Chanhassen on State Highway 5 and Rolling Acres Road) is expected to have them in sometime between Sept 2nd and 14th.
2. Pepin Heights Retail Store in Lake City, Minnesota has SweeTango available now! Click here for their website.
3. Pine Tree Apple Orchard (450 Apple Orchard Road, White Bear Lake, MN) will have them sometime in early September. For more information, call 651-429-7202.
4. Center Creek Orchard (Located 8 miles south east of Fairmont MN) will have them in early September. Their phone number is (507) 773-4547.
5. Kristine, Byerly’s, Kowalski’s and SuperTarget stores in the Twin Citites area.

Arizona
Here are the stores that are expected to have SweeTango this year (I can’t guarantee the time and if all locations will have them). These stores will receive their apples from Stemilt growers.
1. Fry’s stores in the Phoenix area
2. Albertons stores throughout the state

California
Here are the stores that are expected to have SweeTango this year (I can’t guarantee the time and if all locations will have them). These stores will receive their apples from Stemilt growers.
1. Safeway stores in Northern California
2. Mollie Stones in the San Francisco area
3. Ralph’s stores in Southern California
4. Gelson’s Market in the Los Angeles area
5. Bristol Farms in the Los Angeles area
6. Winco stores throughout the state
7. Albertsons stores throughout the state

Florida
Sweetbay stores in the Tampa area should have them in October

Illinois
1. Jewel-Osco, Treasure Island, Meijer, Mariano’s and Whole Foods stores in the Chicago area should have them now.
2. Curtis Orchard in Champaign

Indiana
Marsh, The Fresh Market and Kroger stores in Indianapolis area

Iowa
HyVee, Dahl’s and Super Target stores in the Des Monies area

Kentucky
Remke/Biggs stores in Northern Kentucky

Missouri
Dierbergs and Schnucks in the St. Louis area.

New York
1. Whittier Fruit Farm will have SweeTango at their farm market (219 Whitter Road, Rochester, NY) as well as any farmer’s market they sell at. Click here for their website
2. Confirmed being at Wegmans in Rochester

Ohio
Kroger, Remke/Biggs and The Fresh Market stores in the Cincinnati area

Oregon
Here are the stores that are expected to have SweeTango this year (I can’t guarantee the time and if all locations will have them). These stores will receive their apples from Stemilt growers.
1. Fred Meyer stores in the Portland area
2. New Seasons in Portland
3. Albertsons stores throughout the state

Pennsylvania
Wegmans in the Philadelphia area (confirmed to be in Dowingtown, PA)

Tennessee
Kroger stores in the Nashville area

Texas
Central Market and Kroger stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth area

Washington
Here are the stores that are expected to have SweeTango this year (I can’t guarantee the time and if all locations will have them). These stores will receive their apples from Stemilt growers.
1. Metropolitan Market in Seattle
2. QFC in the Seattle area
3. Fred Meyer stores in the Seattle area
4. Albertsons stores throughout the state

Wisconsin
Wood Orchard Market (Door County, 8112 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI – Phone: 920-868-2334) is hoping to have them on September 10th

Apples| Michigan Apples| Michigan Farms| Minnesota Farms| SweeTango

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