Ruth Kelly's Visit to Grand Central Market
A full-service urban grocery and deli. We feature a wide array of wine, beer, health food, produce and dry goods. Our mission is to help the Grand Rapids community develop and maintain a healthy, conscious lifestyle.
Eat Local Challenge Participant: Ruth Kelly, Teacher at Riverside Middle School
Locally Owned Business: Grand Central Market (57 Monroe Center Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
What did you eat? I had a multi-grain vegetarian wrap for lunch. It was full of locally grown vegetables. It has a barbeque ranch dip. I made some asparagus soup for dinner (I picked it up at the Market). It was delicious and easy to make!
What did you learn? Grand Central Market caters lunches for businesses, providing healthy alternatives to fast food. They also make gift baskets filled with organic foods. You can pick and choose from a variety of locally grown spices, Michigan maple syrups, soaps and other products to fill your baskets.
Anything else? Local First is doing a remarkable job of educating Grand Rapids. We all need to learn that we can use the "power of the purse" to stimulate our local economy. I feel great knowing that my buying decisious are an investment in the community I love.