Business & Economy

Fenton Farmers Market helps local businesses

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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.

Business & Economy

Taste of Muskegon hosts largest crowd yet

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MUSKEGON, Mich. –  Ann Meisch and her team of volunteers prepared for the largest crowd in the history of Taste of Muskegon. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 8, there would be thousands of people waiting in lines to try food from local Muskegon businesses. 

“We sold 30,000 additional tickets than we’ve ever had before in the past,” Meisch said, the city clerk of Muskegon and the director of Taste of Muskegon. “It was very much a success.”  

Taste of Muskegon began in 2007 with little community involvement and only a few vendors participating. This year, over 25 vendors were in attendance, lining up the streets around Hackley Park with food and activities. 

“At this point, they [the vendors] are totally overwhelmed and excited and like ‘wow, I’m already using Saturday’s food on Friday.

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Local cider mill opens its attractions

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Long Family Orchard, Farm & Cider Mill in Commerce Township opened its play area for the first time last weekend, according to its Facebook page, allowing visitors to start a new tradition, while continuing an old one, eating donuts and cider. Love for cider

Vittorio Vassilev, a Commerce resident, is a loyal customer. “I have been going to Long’s cider mill since I was 6 years old,” Vassilev said. “The donuts and cider (are) what I come for, it is one of the best feelings and you know it’s fall once they have those two things together.”

“The consistency of loyal customers returning every year is one of the reasons the Long family keeps their business running,” said Bobby Long. “To see the joys on the customers’ faces,” Bobby said.