While most people consider whether the price of fruit is less at the major store, or the local fruit stand, those people do not consider that in order to get that lower price, the grower must receive substantially less so those who serve as middlemen may also be cut into the share of the price.

It is similar to that which happened to the American automobile and electronic technology industries. People will not work for the wages that the price they demand warrant. People will not pay the prices for products that would justify those wages.

In other words, we do it to ourselves through our own lack of understanding.

Eric Hahn recently ventured into business through which he ties local growers to the local market they would otherwise not reach. His concept is a business called Cherry Capital Foods operating in Charlevoix, Michigan. Eric holds a degree in history from Indiana University, with a minor in political science. His understanding of history gives him uncommon vision of the future, such as this venture.

Cherry Capital Foods serves as distributor for local food growers, and offers locally grown food to markets that otherwise would never have such a connection. In impressive fashion, he has even provided beneficial food to local schools such that children enjoy healthy foods grown locally without the schools seeking the farmers, nor the farmers selling to the schools!

Eric said a grower told him "The last crop any farmer wants to grow is houses." However, farmland is generally as well suited for condos as for farms, and neither do well in a desert. As we face an ever-growing consumer mentality that we ‘need to protect their jobs’ and ‘compete with prices large corporations who do not protect their jobs,’ it becomes more and more important that consumers become aware of local economy. After all, it is not a wise plan to tell the farmer next door that his food costs too much, and expect him to buy a product from your employer merely because you are employed there with the money he does not have because his goods cost too much.

Cherry Capital Foods goes one step further than most enterprises. Cherry Capital Foods discloses to its market its sources to (1) ensure the market that its products are locally grown, and (2) promote its suppliers businesses to potential markets who might go directly to the source. That type of unselfishness is worthy of support and recognition!

More than that, it is worthy of replication in other markets. Eric Hahn is available to consult with those interested in similar endeavors in other markets. Whether it is food in a different location, or other products in the same market, the concept of tying local producers with local markets is much needed, lest we eventually run into too many old people and too few door greeter jobs.

You can reach Eric Hahn through Cherry Capital Foods’ web site, or by calling him at (231) 675-4079. He is particularly interested in discussing these concepts as they relate to the distribution of food, but Eric is always willing to talk to those who are interested in making the world better for us all!