Thanksgiving Featuring Local Produce

Thanksgiving is a tradition that has been celebrated for centuries. The modern Thanksgiving traditions started at Plymouth Rock when the pilgrims were holding a Thanksgiving feast. Initially, the pilgrims did not have enough food to feed even half of the colony. The Wampanoag Native Americans stepped in to help the Pilgrims by providing seeds, teaching them how to fish, and how to use and live off of the land. Thus the tradition of gathering everyone around a table began.

Fast forward a few hundred years and today we still celebrate the gathering of family, friends, and of course good food. Turkey, potatoes, green beans, corn, salad, cobbler, pies and ice cream. You name it; it is probably on someone’s table.

In West Michigan it is easy to celebrate this holiday in a very traditional way; eating the food grown right in your own town. West Michigan is known for it’s impeccably fresh produce and local meats.

Need some turkey? Why not try a fresh bird from Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA located in Marshall, MI? Raised right on site, this family owned business has been serving Thanksgiving turkey’s for 68 years and is truly a treasure in West Michigan.

Do you add milk and butter to your potatoes? Country Dairy in New Era will provide the freshest dairy products you need without a doubt. Another family owned business that has been processing and bottling milk in West Michigan since 1983.

How about some apples or pumpkins for pies? Why not visit a local farm market to purchase these items, most of which were most likely picked that morning. Or, make it a family tradition to head to a u-pick during harvest season to pick your own!

Wherever you get your feast from, make sure you think of the farmers that helped put it on your table, and be thankful for them.