Agriculture

Local produce stores aim to bring affordability to food deserts

By |

The way food travels from farm to table is complex. The food that shoppers normally see in massive grocery stores is grown on large farms, harvested in large quantities, stored until it can be transported to market and finally sold in grocery stores. When the food supply chain is local, the process can become even more nuanced. Two stores in Lansing that promote local food production are The Eastside Lansing Food Co-op and Campbell’s Market Basket. 

Agriculture
Lake trout and whitefish leather dyed with natural indigo.

Twenty companies pledge to use all parts of Great Lakes fish

By |

USING FISH: Fish-leather purses and wallets may make their way into Great Lakes fashion with an initiative to use 100% of commercially caught fish by 2025. One of the latest projects is to fully use the region’s whitefish, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. Mackinaw City might be one research site. Companies in L’Anse, Detroit, Manistee and Munising participate. It also involves the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. We learn more from the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers. By Shealyn Paulis. FOR MONROE, ALPENA, ALCONA, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN, SAULT STE. MARIE, BAY MILLS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, LUDINGTON, OCEANA COUNTY, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, HOLLAND, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, PLANET DETROIT, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Michigan Capitol first to deploy AI gun detection

By |

ZEROEYES: Michigan’s State Capitol is the first in the nation to deploy a gun detection system using artificial intelligence for security. The system, ZeroEyes, supplements the recently installed metal detectors that lawmakers, state staff and hundreds of thousands of visitors pass through each year. We learn more from the State Capitol Commission’s executive director andt he Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners director for Southwest Michigan. By Kelsey Lester. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, HOLLAND AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Downtown Bethesda grows

By |

With nearly 200 restaurants, 75 retail stores and living spaces opening up, the downtown area of Bethesda, Maryland known as Downtown Bethesda is evolving into a bustling district. 

The city located just outside Washington has grown over the last couple of years. Bethesda has grown in its population since 2010. According to Census data over 8,000 residents have moved to the Bethesda area in the past 10 years. 

“My job is to figure out understanding what the mix is today if there’s an interest in retail and ground up new development,” said Vanessa Mendoza, who serves as the director of leasing for Bethesda Row, a mixed-use development area located at the intersection of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road. Within the row, there are numerous restaurants, shops and living spaces that have been added to the area. 

Most recently. Nike opened up its store in Downtown Bethesda on May 25.

Business & Economy

Fenton Farmers Market helps local businesses

By |

The Fenton Farmers Market, which located in downtown Fenton in front of the Community Center, brings in many customers for new business owners, especially for those who have only been at the market for only four weeks. 

Ben Goodrich, the owner of New Leaf Farms, attends the market as his first year at being a local vendor for the market. 

Goodrich started farming in his mother’s backyard while growing his microgreens within his house as well. 

“Our business specializes in salad greens and we also have other vegetables,” said Goodrich. “Such as radishes, beets and carrots.” 

Goodrich owns New Leaf Farms, a local produce farm that specializes in microgreens and vegetables. Being a vendor at the market has helped his business in many ways from new customers to feedback. 

Goodrich said: “Because of the Farmers market, I’m able to get a lot of feedback from new customers, from people asking questions gives me a chance to educate people on the microgreens that I’m selling. That gives us information to be able to grow with the market and meet the demand of the market.” 

The feedback that Goodrich has received is “little things” like the Facebook page or business cards that are making improvements for Goodrich who wants to expand and give more interest to his customers. 

Goodrich started his business because he “fell in love with it” and then decided “Why not try it as a business? Why not go out there and make something happen?” 

Pat Allen, Fenton Farmers market manager, said that having the Fenton Farmers Market impacts local or small businesses in the area. 

“There is a lot of (foot) traffic,” said Allen.