GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A farm in Delta County is making fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables more accessible for families in need.
The Gladstone Berry Farm has been growing and selling an array of produce for nearly a decade.
“We have you pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and black raspberries in the summer, and we have fresh fruits and vegetables as well,” said Manager Parker Grzybowski.
Now through Halloween, it’s pumpkin season. However, preparations are already beginning for next summer’s berries.
“Right now, we’ll be spreading straw for your winter coverage to help protect them from the cold,” Parker explained. “In the spring, you uncover the strawberries from the straw. Then, you have to do your necessary early weeding, setting everything up for the big crowd of people, and then it’s showtime when you have you pick at the end of June.”
In the meantime, sales continue at the farm, as well as at various locations throughout Delta and Marquette Counties.
“We also do three farmers markets, which are Gladstone, Skandia, and Marquette,” said Parker.
According to Owner Michael Grzybowski, the Gladstone Berry Farm has been looking for ways to reach even more people who need fresh fruits and vegetables. The farm recently became one of only a few in the Central U.P. to receive certification in the Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) program.
“We have a lot of customers with the need for WIC and they stop by requesting to use it,” Michael said. “With the rollout of the new program, there were some hurdles we had to go through to finally get certified, but now we’re able to offer it to the community. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll be adding the SNAP and other benefits as well.”
Parker says the WIC certification gives program participants a way to get nutritious produce grown in their own community, rather than from a large retailer.
“It’s fresher, it tastes better, and you’re supporting local,” he said.
The Gladstone Berry Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The farm also sells fruits, vegetables, jams, and other products at the Skandia Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the Marquette Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow Gladstone Berry Farm on Facebook for more information.
