A friend and I went to the farmers market yesterday, and I just wanted to touch every gourd, pumpkin, zucchini and apple that I saw. Bright oranges and smooth greens made them irresistible. My friend and I stopped and talked with a farmer about her apple varieties. Another offered her wisdom on autumn spices to us. In the cool sunshine, I felt a sense of comfort and contentment that came with making a real-live connection with my food.
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For this reason, I am excited to introduce you to Crisp Country Acres, a farm in Holland that delights in personally putting fresh food into the hands of West Michigan community members.
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For over 120 years, the Visser family has owned and operated the farm, passing the land down through three generations. Along the way, dozens of sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, wives, husbands and grandchildren have worked on the farm, extending a passion for good food all throughout the family.
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Starting as an idea of a Dutch immigrant couple, Crisp Country Acres has grown into a flourishing lakeshore business. Now, they attend five different farmers markets, provide a year-round Community Supported Agriculture program, supply over 30 restaurants in West Michigan with their produce, and host their own year-round farm stand on location.
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For the Visser family, crops are their passion, but people are their delight. Just as they love to cultivate the food they grow, they also love to cultivate relationships with their customers. They intentionally ask a customer what he has been cooking with their produce. Or tell a customer what she might enjoy knowing is happening on the farm this week.
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So–if you are like me, and you enjoy a tangible connection with your food–I think you just might find a friend in Crisp Country Acres. You can meet them on the farm in Holland, but you’re also sure to spot them at farmers markets in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Trufant, and Byron Center. Once you do, use their produce to try your hand at their delicious recipe, Potato Kale Soup.
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To learn more about Crisp Country Acres, visit their website at www.crispcountryacres.com.
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You can use your 10×10 dollars this week to make a meal from nearly 50 options of produce, meats, and more that Crisp Country Acres has to offer!
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Haven’t taken the pledge yet? Do that here:
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The Eat Local Challenge is sponsored by Twisted Rooster and Crooked Goose.
