Greetings from the Northern Fruitlands...

We’ve all heard stories of the fierce Up North winters of the old days, but this year, we finally really had one. In the unrelenting arctic temperatures the Bay froze solid white out to the horizon and the snow fell day after day til we ran out of places to put it. Happily, the deep drifts protected the orchards and it was a wonderful time for cross country skiing through the snowy woods and hikes on snow shoes, especially when followed by a meal near the fireplace with friends.

And soon, we hope, the ice will release its grip on the Bay uncovering the blue waves and the snow will yield from the hills. The trout lilies and trilliums will open beside wild leek leaves and fragrant morels, and then a fine veil of green will rise from and cover the dark forest of branches. Finally, the orchards of the Fruitlands will erupt in an annual spectacle of breathtaking blossoms that celebrate the promise of the abundance to come.

Despite the turmoil in the world, life’s simple pleasures endure. And we are reminded that the best things are often well within our grasp…the beauty of nature, a long walk with a friend, a good book, a sunny morning with family, a shared meal, and work that we enjoy. Authentic flavor is another of life’s small but precious pleasures, and those of us who are passionate about food seek it out wherever we can find it. For us, something truly delicious makes every day a little better. Our Spring Make Your Case offer is our way of making our distinctive foods even more accessible for your enjoyment every day. This is our way of bringing our American Spoon store to your home and we hope you’ll take advantage of it!

As we witness the unrivaled beauty of another Spring in the Northern Fruitlands, I always feel gratitude for the rich legacy passed down to us by an untold number of gardeners, horticulturists and growers in pursuit of perfection. We have inherited from them fruits with distinguished character, with flavors that have withstood the test of time: the Red Haven Peach, the Rubel Blueberry, the Harlayne Apricot, Bartlett Pears, Northern Spy Apples, Damson Plums and the Early Glow Strawberry...and at American Spoon we remain deeply committed to supporting the small family fruit farms that still grow these varietals despite the challenges they present. We believe our role, as the artisans who preserve these special fruits, is to maintain the timeless connection between the growers who work the land, and all of you who understand real food and know what authentic flavor is worth. And, after 27 years, we feel fortunate to greet another Northern Michigan Spring and to be able to say, once again: here is the fruit of our land, the work of our hands, may it bring you pleasure.