Our Favorite Local Michigan Products
Anyone can name the classic Michigan-made brands such as Faygo pop, Better Made Potato Chips, or Mackinac Island Fudge; but what products are actually home grown here in Northern Michigan still? We have put together a list of our favorite products to share with your favorite fudgie that is visiting for the summer.
Favorite Sweet Treat
There is a long list of delicious goodies produced in Northern Michigan, especially involving cherries. Our favorite sweet treat is Shurms Candy Michi-Gummies. These adorable Michigan shaped gummies come in multiple flavors and will delight anyone, including those who are not a fan of cherries. They are super soft and flavorful compared to other brands. These gummies entered the Michigan markets only a few years ago, but are sure to become a staple for years to come.
Now, since there are so many delicious sweet treats made in Michigan, we must list a few of our honorable mentions. A very close second to Michi-Gummies is Jojo’s Cookies. Jojo’s caught on like wildfire since they absolutely put Crumbl Cookies to shame. Even if you are not currently in Michigan, they will ship fresh cookies to your doorstep! With new featured flavors each month, you will find a favorite flavor you just cannot get enough of (or five!).
Finally, our last honorable mention is the Taffy Barrel in Charlevoix, MI. The in store experience is something out of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. The seemingly endless barrels of gourmet salt water taffy in any flavor one can think of absolutely wows their patrons. They also feature delicious Jelly Belly jelly beans and classic old fashioned candies not found in convenience stores anymore.
Favorite Snacks
Looking to please someone without a sweet tooth? We have you covered there, too! Our favorite Michigan-made snack is Popkie’s Popcorn. Based in Traverse City, you can find someone standing outside Popkie’s with free samples on a nice summer day. But beware—if you take that sample, you'll start craving more! Popkie’s offers over 60 flavors ranging from your classic, delicious Kettle Corn to Wasabi Soy and Cheddar Pretzel Ale. The flavor that really hooked us is the Front Street Blend—the perfect sweet and salty mix of caramel and cheddar popcorn.
Next up on the list is Great Lakes Potato Chips. This phenomenal company which manufactures their chips just south of Traverse City can be found in many big box stores. Their kettle cooked chips are thick, crunchy, and put Better Made to shame. Our favorite flavors include their Parmesan Ranch Style chips and Michigan Cherry BBQ chips.
Moreover, to complete our list of crave-able Michigan snacks, Greentowne Foods Dried Apple Chips puts the cherry on top. Their apple chips include delicious flavors like Cinnamon and a special Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate covered apple chip. This delicious snack is a perfectly balanced sweet treat.
Favorite Products
Michigan has great resources and a thriving outdoor ecosystem that poises wonderful creators to make unique products from Michigan materials. We hope you enjoy these products as much as we do!
To get into vacation relaxation mode, there are few scents more enchanting than Lavender. At Harbor View Lavender on Old Mission Peninsula, the most calming, luxurious lavender products are crafted. Visit their store front in downtown Traverse City to pick up a handmade bar of bubbly soap or a lavender eye mask to reduce puffiness from travel.
As a rite of passage to surpass fudgie status, one must visit The M22 Store only AFTER they have completed the drive on actual M22 through Leelanau County (I don’t make the rules!). This trendy clothing shop has clothing and outdoor wear for the whole family. The M22 highway is a gorgeous drive that us locals take for granted too often. Definitely savor both while visiting!
Finally, it is recommended to visit the Sara Hardy Farmer’s Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings during the summer for the best of the best local goods including Kewadin Farms Honey. Grown on the outskirts of torch lake, these bees sure know what they’re doing. Their delicious honey has become a staple in my kitchen.