SPARTA, Mich. – In Michigan, a true mark of spring is the first harvest of asparagus. Michigan asparagus is a quick six to seven-week season that starts in Southwest Michigan near Dowagiac and then dominates the landscape near the northern Lower Peninsula’s lakeshore in Hart and Ludington.

 

Riveridge Produce will once again be marketing for Ridgeview Orchards and Shafer Lake who represent some of the largest family owned growers in the state. The state is the second highest asparagus producing state in the country, reaping the benefits of nearby Lake Michigan with its sandy yet nutrient-rich soil.

 

Michigan Asparagus marketed by Riveridge Produce will be available in the following configurations for the 2019 Season:

  • One-pound bundles with a Riveridge, Michigan-grown tag, available in 11# and 28# carton configurations
  • One-pound bags; featuring a quick recipe on the back of the packaging
  • Two-pound+ bags; ideal for family cookouts, canning and freezing to extend the Michigan asparagus season
  • 12 oz. Microwave-in-bag; simply snip the corner and toss in the microwave for two to three minutes for a quick, healthy side dish

 

Videos and Photography Available

Hand-snapped at harvest is a unique feature of Michigan asparagus. This harvesting technique snaps the asparagus at its natural breaking point, leaving an entirely edible spear. Assets including photography highlight this type of harvest, as well as graphics focused on healthy eating, are available for retailers to showcase on their social media platforms. Consumers are often surprised not only how asparagus is grown, but how quickly it grows and how labor-intensive it is. Images and video help build an emotional connection for consumers when they can see the origin of their food.

 

Food Safety and Quality Control

Additionally as food safety has become a common topic on the evening news, know Riveridge Produce has long held both food safety and quality control as an operational focus. Dedicated staff are focused on asparagus quality and food safety in the fields, receiving stations and packing facilities – inspecting and providing best practices to help ensure a consistent and quality pack.

 

Like spring itself, Michigan asparagus season won’t last long and it is the only time of year American consumers get the opportunity to enjoy asparagus from a local growing region.

 

 

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About Riveridge Produce Marketing

Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. is a vertically-integrated apple grower/packer/shipper/marketer/processor headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, a unique growing region in West Michigan due in part to the elevation, proximity to Lake Michigan and ideal soil conditions. The company represents one-half of Michigan’s fresh apple crop and is leading the way in food safety, new orchard technology and innovation in sales and marketing. Additionally, Riveridge markets fresh Michigan asparagus, sweet cherries, prune plums, and fresh apple cider.