Local grocery store shelves in the Northland are stocked with a lot of local produce

Grocery store shelves across the Northland have items from local produce companies with everything from meat, vegetables, bread, and much more. For one local company, it means a lot to see their products on the shelves.

“For us here in Superior, to be able to grow our own local produce, it really serves a dual purpose. We can provide our local grocery stores and restaurants with great products, but it also gives us a vehicle in which we can serve those folks that we are here to offer our services to,” said Mark Kroll, the Director of the Challenge Center.

In their many greenhouses, Bay Produce in Superior grows vegetables year-round items like beefsteak and grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. Kroll shared that they sell their products to all kinds of customers across the Northland.

“Ever since the beginning of May produce, we have had some really good local partners. I’ll call our customers partners, for instance, some of the grocery stores, all the super ones, Mountain Royal Fine Foods, Whole Foods Co-op, probably about 25 to 30 local restaurants.”

For Bay Produce, being a locally-produced company is very meaningful to their customers. “People are really aware of where their food comes from. They are aware, they want to make sure they are buying their food from a place that they trust. And for us, that is something really special that we want to continue. The way that we practice and the way that we grow our products, it is definitely something special,” Kroll explained.

Employee Roy Breezee, a 32-year employee shares that it is a joy for him knowing that he has a part in helping to grow food.

“It makes me feel really good and satisfied. I tell people in a supermarket here in Superior or Duluth I see purchasing a product, I’ll say, hey, I work for that company, and I’m proud.”