When late season blizzards dropped six inches of snow on asparagus fields, many anxious consumers wondered if that would lead to delays in the highly anticipated Michigan asparagus season. While snows last month and cooler than usual temperatures did delay this year’s crop, Michigan asparagus season is now officially underway with some grower shippers beginning to ship orders last week and many others beginning to ship this week.
The cool spring weather has provided growers with some extra time to prepare fields and complete beginning of season tasks like mowing and fertilizer application.
John Bakker, Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board reassures, “Grower shippers are on schedule to harvest and deliver similar volume to last season.” Bakker commented, “We’re expecting to see peak volumes toward the end of the month, just in time for Memorial Day.”
Suppliers throughout the industry are reporting that pricing and quality will be on par with last season. “It’s more important than ever to buy local, domestically grown asparagus during the season,” Bakker related, “We see asparagus growing operations throughout the country, mainly in California, closing their doors because they can’t compete with imported asparagus. It’s a shame, when you factor in the food miles and the irrigation water, it’s much more environmentally sustainable to buy local.” In addition, domestically grown asparagus is at most 4 days old when it reaches the consumer, as opposed to imported asparagus that can spend up to 21 days in transit.
The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board has undertaken additional marketing efforts this year to help promote Michigan asparagus and keep it top of mind for consumers during peak season. With a focus on educating consumers about buying local vs. imported asparagus in addition to asparagus’ host of health benefits, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board said it will be rolling out new content on a daily basis and hosting weekly giveaways via social media contests.
With quality and volume expected to be high this year, the 100+ family farmers that produce the majority of Michigan’s asparagus are anticipating a great season.
For more information:
Jodi Hogerton
Tel: +1 (920) 475-8113
jodi@fulltiltmarketing.net
www.michiganasparagus.org