R/RH/OT - Community Lifestyles - June 9, 2014 - Page 11

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NEW BUSINESS
Harvest Michigan delivers Michigans
abundance to the community
By Fiona Pereira
Editor
What started as Yvette
Bermans search for local,
organic and fresh produce
for her family has turned
into the creation of a region-
al food hub called Harvest
Michigan. With a business
model of facilitating the aggregation,
storage, processing, distribution and
marketing of local and regional farm
and food products, Harvest Michi-
gan brings these to the Oakland and
Macomb counties.
We play the role
of a market maker.
We want to promote
Michigan farmers and
local producers as well
as help change eating
habits of the commu-
nity toward those that
are fresher, healthier
and preferably organ-
ic, said Berman. Since
its inception in 2008,
Harvest Michigan has
developed direct rela-
tionships with smaller
farms and producers
who make it a priority to offer food
that is tastier and more nutritious
the kind of food more and more
people are demanding these days.
They also work with farmers and
producers to migrate toward sustain-
able production practices as well as
promote the local food system.
Through Harvest Michigans
local organic produce program, the
Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) program, the community is
given access to fresh produce from
regional organic farmers. By put-
ting together a customized Farmers
Market in a basket weekly, Harvest
Michigan works with these farms
to distribute produce to members of
the local community. For 16 weeks,
members will receive weekly,
bushel boxes flled with a
share of the harvest consisting
of produce of their choice for
$39.50 per box. The next CSA
program begins end of June.
There is also the Michigan
Buying Club, a cooperative of
people who combine their buy-
ing power to purchase healthy
foods ranging from organic meat and
dairy, dry goods to natural cleaning
products. Bulk purchases can also
be arranged. To register for the club,
visit www.michiganbuyingclub.com.
Members of the CSA
program are given free
enrollment in the Buy-
ing Club.
Berman said
Harvest Michigan has
created a distribution
model in which every-
body wins. One that
helps all involved, as
well as Michigans food
system and the states
bottom line. We want to
change the paradigm
of the local food sys-
tem, especially what
we can produce as an
agriculture state. Opportunities are
there but it requires
a collaborative effort
between the farm-
ers and the com-
munity. We would
like to increase the
capacity to bring
local, organic food
and produce not just
to households but
eventually to restau-
rants, eateries and
hospitals.
Harvest Michi-
gan is listed in the
National Good Food
Network directory.
For more infor-
mation and to
register for the
CSA program,
visit www.
harvestmichi-
gan.com or call
248-475-5805.
Harvest Michi-
gan is located at
1952, Star-Batt
Drive, Rochester
Hills.
Owner, Yvette Berman
Produce available
through the CSA program
If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.
~Benjamin Franklin