MARKETPLACE

Where local produce reigns

By Chad Dally

This array of apples is typical of Van Houten's wide selection of produce.

For many people in Michigan, autumn is the best time of the year. Not only do the trees put on their own fireworks display, but the fruits and vegetables of local farmers are now ready for the public to enjoy. That’s always been a priority at Van Houten Produce, 3820 S. Cedar in Lansing. Not only do they offer local products whenever possible, they also carry produce from all over the world—which helps to make their customers as diverse as the products.

Owner Jeff Van Houten has operated his own produce stand for 24 years, and spent half of that time at Lansing’s City Market. Jeff’s mother, Marlene, also sold vegetables at the City Market but now works for her son. "We always try to learn from our customers," Mrs. Van Houten says. "We’ve been here long enough that we have some idea what the customers like, but we’re still happy to supply things we don’t have already. And most of the time they choose locally grown food, as opposed to something that was grown in Washington or someplace else."

Produce spills into the parking lot outside of the store, as bushels of red, green and gold apples line the walls. Gourds of all sizes fill wicker baskets on top of hay stacks, and on this day there are free samples of cantaloupe waiting as customers walk inside. While not a large store, every available space is packed with most of the fruits and vegetables you could think of, and probably some you’ve never heard of before.

Although they carry things like Hawaiian ginger, Chinese eggplant and even Mexican Coca-Cola in glass bottles, Van Houten says the preference is for local produce whenever possible. "I think our customers know that we always carry the freshest items we can, and that’s because we get most of our stuff from local farmers. Usually we get it the day after it’s been picked," she says.
Her son adds that seeking out the highest quality produce he can find is the most time consuming part of the job. "We actually go to the markets and the wholesalers ourselves to hand-pick the things we sell here. I would say about 90 percent of our stock is personally chosen."

Years of experience have helped the Van Houtens recognize quality fruits and vegetables, which is why Michael Kessler of Lansing shops there frequently. "They have more things than any grocery store I’ve been to, and everything usually seems really fresh, especially at this time of year. I’ve actually tried some new vegetables just because I’ve never seen them before until I shopped here," he said.