HOT NEWS!  

 

Points North, Interlochen NPR interviews Hahn , Feb 27

 

Hahn to speak in Buffalo NY Feb 23 to farmers, retailers and chefs.

 

The Challenge of Eating Local: Distribution : NPR

Jan 4, 2008 ... Zenner sold half of his tomato crop through Cherry Capital Foods. ... He is here at Cherry Capital Foods' warehouse dropping off the last of ...

 

T C Business News - A fruitful year: Sales up 800%

While Cherry Capital Foods may be a relatively new business, ... He says since teaming up with Cherry Capital Foods, he has doubled his tomato production to ...

 

Cherry Capital Foods Opens Store

Cherry Capital Foods has opened a combination warehouse / grocery store south of Traverse City at 195 US 31 South, about a mile north of Chums Corner. ...

 

Eric Villegas’ Fork in the Road, PBS

Michigan potatoes - blog comment

Go Cherry Capital - blog comment

 

9&10 News: Cherry Capital Foods Buys Local Produce and Products to ...

Aug 11, 2008 ... A Grand Traverse County company distributes Michigan produce and products all over Northern Michigan. Cherry Capital Foods was founded 14 ...

 

Northern Michigan Local Food Forum: Cherry Capital Foods Grand Opening

We had the great fortune of attending the Grand Opening of Cherry Capital Foods here in Traverse City Michigan. They have dedicated themselves to supplying

 

Up North Foodies

Check out NPR's The Challenge of Eating Local: Distribution by Peter Payette, which features Cherry Capital Foods, a local-food distribution company recently launched by Charlevoix native Eric Hahn.

 

 

Thought I'd put together a little compilation of some of the responses and share them with everyone:  Eric Hahn.
 

My name is Todd Waltermire and I own Oakland Bay Organic Farm, LLC in Shelton, WA. Let me first commend you for what you have created. In my opinion, the service you are providing your local small farms/farmers and the consuming public is exactly what every 'region' needs. (He goes on to say that he wants to develop a model similar to CCF and is interested in talking with me).

 

Hi Eric,
I have been thinking along the exact lines you have, and am
interested in starting a distribution service for local, farm fresh
produce in the DC area. The NPR article I heard makes it sound like
all you did was buy a van and you were in business, but like anything
I'm sure there was much more to it than that.

- Karen Simpson, Washington, D.C.

My name is Ken and I am writing to you from CT. I heard the story about your business today on NPR and I have to say I was really moved. What a brilliant idea to promote local economy, increase the availability of quality goods, and reduce the carbon footprint of the industry. I am extremely interested in starting something like this out here... would you be willing to share any tips or guidelines with me or even for me to come out there and observe or apprentice for you? I am 24 years old and I have been looking for a few years now to start my own business that is socially responsible. Again, thank you for providing such a great service to the people of Michigan and the world by reducing pollution.
- Kenneth Sawka, Connecticut

Hi ... we were brought to your website at Cherry Country by a friend who buys our certified organic beef from southwest Michigan, thinking some of it could be marketed through "Cherry Country". Unfortunately, Roseland Organic Farms is in SW Michigan, not northern Michigan, so that fact may lower your interest in carrying our Michigan organic beef cuts, such as roasts, rib eye steaks, stir fry strips, etc.
Take a look at our website www.roselandorganicfarms.com  and let us know if our beef (also pork) would be appropriate for your website/sales offerings. Thanks. Merrill (Hahn) Clark !

I heard this story on my way to work this morning. What a great company! Congratulations on the wonderful things you are doing to promote and sustain a local food network in NW Michigan!
- Ronda Rutledge, Executive Director, Sustainable Food Center, Austin, TX
 

Just heard your interview on NPR – great job identifying and addressing the needs of your local producers/consumers! I have been milling over possible ways of providing the same type of service for my area (the greater Portland- Vancouver area (NW Oregon/SW Washington)) and was wondering if you could provide any direction on ways to proceed. I am a complete novice to both the entrepreneurial and food production/provision arenas so please feel free to share any insights, no matter how basic you feel they may be.

- Byron Care, Portland, OR

Eric,

Congrats on starting a local foods distribution business. I couldn't believe that getting cherries from the farm to stores would be so difficult. We need more folks like you! Best of luck.

Brian
in San Mateo, CA, originally from Kalamazoo

Eric,

I apologize for a somewhat random e-mail, but I recently heard about
Cherry Capital Foods and what you are doing, so I decided to research
a little more. My name is Travis Parkinson and I live and work in
Traverse City. I visited your website as well as a couple of others
that have information about your company, and I am very interested in
what you are doing. After listening to the radio broadcasts I decided
I would write you to find out more. I do not know what your current
business structure is and if you are even looking to expand, but if
you are I would really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you
about working for Cherry Capital Foods. I have a degree in Food
Industry Management from Michigan State University. The degree
primarily focused on sales and supply chain management for food
related businesses. I have spent my entire career since Michigan
State in sales with the majority of that in the mortgage industry. I
am looking for a career more closely tied to my education, but one
where my extensive sales training may be an asset as well.

I am a firm believer in supporting the local community and that is why
I had so much interest in your company. I would love to find a career
where I could not only live in Northwest Michigan but help to support
the local economy and community as well.

I would be more than happy to send a copy of my resume for your review
if you have any interest. I appreciate your time and look forward to
possibly speaking with you in the future.

Thank you,
Travis Parkinson

 

Eric – I was listening on NPR this

morning to an interview regarding Cherry Capital Foods.  I must say I think your

concept is great!  While I do not have the degree to be called a chef, I have

close to 30 years of working catering on the side of always having a regular

job.  With only a couple of more years before my last child flies from the nest

(ya, baby!!!  Sorry, just a little excited at the thought), I have been trying

to consider a different outlet that would combine my love of food, my catering

background, etc.  Your’s is an excellent plan.  I really would like to hear more

about what you did and how you did it.  It would be wonderful to see our local

restaurants using local produced and I wouldn’t mind, coordinating

all.

 

Drop me a line when you have time….I

would love to hear more about your experiences with Cherry Capital

Foods.

 

- Nancy Wissel, Allstate Corporate Relations, Northbrook, IL

 

Good day,

My family goes to the Chain-o-lakes area of Michigan and stay on Clam

River, we always stop at Friskes and it was funny to hear about them on the

radio. We come up from Ohio and we always enjoy the Michigan produce and I think

you have an excellent idea. Locally spent money always helps out the region, I

am surprised it is not done in other places.

 

Good luck in your venture, you have a great place to work

 

- Dan Mason, Ohio

 

Eric,

Thanks for taking my call

so early this morning. As mentioned I heard your story on the radio and would be

interested in talking with you about how we might be able to duplicate what you

are doing in NW Michigan in the Kansas City area.

My personal background

is in advertising; however, my brother and I had spent time earlier this year

discussing a very similar idea.

It would be great to talk with you in

more detail as to how we might be able to execute here locally.

Please

email / call me anytime to continue our conversation.

Thank you,
Joe

Grigsby
913-568-1705