Fall Food

​By Ciara Glynn

Photo by Jim Saffell

Fall is here in Northern Michigan and it is no secret that there is no better place to spend this season than in Leelanau County.  The beautiful scenery and idyllic cool temperatures create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy this time of year. What's another amazing part about fall? Your favorite local restaurants are way less crowded (at least on the weekdays). 
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There are so many delicious restaurants and eateries in Leelanau County. Some have been cornerstones of this community for decades and others may have just opened up this past year! Regardless, there are so many amazing and healthy options to choose from. Many restaurants feature produce grown right here in Leelanau County!

An article posted by Michigan State University Extension lists 7 benefits of eating local:

• Locally grown food is full of flavor. When grown locally, the crops are picked at their peak of ripeness versus being harvested early in order to be shipped and distributed to your local retail store. Many times produce at local markets has been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.
• Eating local food is eating seasonally. Even though we wish strawberries were grown year-round in Michigan, the best time to eat them is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower. They are full of flavor and taste better than the ones available in the winter that have traveled thousands of miles and picked before they were ripe.
• Local food has more nutrients. Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased. Food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has traveled, and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store.
• Local food supports the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community.
• Local food benefits the environment. By purchasing locally grown foods you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in your community.
• Local foods promote a safer food supply. The more steps there are between you and your food’s source the more chances there are for contamination. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues in harvesting, washing, shipping, and distribution.
• Local growers can tell you how the food was grown. You can ask what practices they use to raise and harvest the crops. When you know where your food comes from and who grew it, you know a lot more about that food.

As stated in the article, there are so many reasons to eat locally. No matter if you don’t know where to start, or already have your local favoritres, I have complied a list of a few my favorites! 

• Farm Club - Traverse City 
  • Located right along the Tart Trail, Farm Club is the perfect place to stop after a bike ride! 
  • From their website: 
    • “Farm Club is a gathering place to celebrate land, honest food and community. Nestled in Leelanau County, Farm Club is a farm, restaurant, brewery, bakery and marketplace. We are located 7 miles from downtown Traverse City and easily accessed by the TART trail. At Farm Club, we invite you to come out, explore the land and linger over quality food and drink.”
• Martha’s Leelanau Table - Suttons Bay
  • Martha’s is a farm to table restaurant located in the village of Suttons Bay. Seasonably, the menu offers many unique European-style options. 
• Wren - Suttons Bay
  • Wren is a restaurant open for dinnerin the village of Suttons Bay. Wren’s specializes in making “comfort” food.
  • From their website:
    • Wren cultivates an experience that not only showcases Northern Michigan at its best, but also focuses on supporting environmentally responsible and sustainable farming methods. 
• Picnic - Leland 
  • Picnic is new to Leland as it just opened this past summer! Picnic has a ton of grab and go options as well as ice cream! Some of their options include custom charcuterie boards, salads, and sandwiches. 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/7_benefits_of_eating_local_foods

• Locally grown food is full of flavor
• Eating local food is eating seasonally
• Local food has more nutrients
• Local food supports the local economy 
• Local food benefits the environment
• Local foods promote a safer food supply
• Local growers can tell you how the food was grown