MICHIGAN - With May marking the official start of the long-awaited Michigan asparagus season, I see no better time to put a spotlight on some of the over 100 farm families committed to harvesting quality product year after year. In celebration of the start of the season, which extends through the end of June, this series sought to tap the expertise of a few long-standing family farms thriving in the asparagus space.

One such company is Todd Greiner Farms Packing, which has grown Michigan asparagus with a commitment to producing quality and fresh product since 1994. Sarah Greiner, Chief Financial Officer and Co-Owner of Todd Greiner Farms, Packing, and Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board Chair, recently provided some insight.

Can you tell me a bit more about Todd Greiner Farms’ values and practices?

Todd Greiner Farms has been growing asparagus for 30 years. Todd grew up farming asparagus alongside his father and felt it was his mission to create an operation focused on a crop that was a staple of his childhood.

Our goal is to put freshness and food safety at the forefront, exceeding customers' standards. Year after year, the growing and packing operations have earned Primus Labs a Superior rating for food safety, proving our dedication to upholding sustainable farm practices to exceed industry standards.

For the last 25 years, the company has been packing products and overseeing all aspects of the field-to-table process. Our state-of-the-art packinghouse permits us to store high volumes of asparagus. Through this development, the process from the field to the packing shed became smoother. This has allowed us to sell more products and invest in a sales team built on relationships, reliability, and results.

What are the benefits of local, Michigan-grown asparagus for both retailers and consumers? What are some of the ways Todd Greiner Farms works to ensure quality and freshness?

The benefits of Michigan asparagus are simple: it’s locally grown and locally sold. Retailers and consumers can support buying from local family farms that are generations deep in their commitment to research and development. Buyers can provide consistency and stability to their categories during the grilling/summer seasons. The shorter transit times will lead to a better product on the shelf—a win-win for both the store and the end user.

However, a bigger story lies within the bundle or bag on the shelf. Throughout the year, farmers attend meetings and conferences, where they learn from researchers to stay up-to-date on quality, hydrocooling, and maintaining a reliable cold chain. When harvest begins, growers work to get asparagus to the packhouse in record time, hydrocool it to lower the field temperature, and place the product in cold storage. When the product is placed in the truck, it must be at 36°F to ensure it is at peak freshness. Temperature recorders are placed on the cartons of asparagus once a load leaves the facility to ensure proper monitoring. From the moment a spear is picked until it’s in stores, quality and freshness are kept as top priorities every step of the way.

That bundle or bag of Michigan asparagus isn’t just a vegetable—it’s the result of year-round dedication, precision, and care. Behind each spear is a team of growers, packers, and cold chain specialists working together to deliver a product that’s crisp, flavorful, and ready for the dinner table. When consumers grab a bag, they are not just getting farm-fresh produce—they are supporting an operation built on excellence, innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to quality.

What have you learned about the category and the market during the last three decades, and how have you witnessed consumer demands evolve?

Consumers have been upfront about their expectations: at the core, the product needs to be fresh, thick, and tender, offering a flavor profile that is both nutritious and delicious. The consensus reveals that having local product on the shelf has led to better taste versus imported product that is on the shelf most of the year. The eating experience is unparalleled due to the fast shipping times and the labor of love that goes into every spear.

Recently, there has been an increasing number of requests for bagged asparagus, which has significant market potential. The bag allows for a longer shelf-life, which is great for consumers who are looking to add asparagus to their meal planning later in the week.

How can retailers help maximize demand for asparagus throughout the Michigan asparagus season?

Retailers should have shelves fully stocked with Michigan Asparagus during the May to early July seasonal window. This helps to create great eating experiences while meeting consumer demand. With locally grown products available 6-8 weeks, the time is now to start building programs and making investments in retail programs that have honed in on messaging, including limited seasonality, sustainably grown, versatility, and nutrition benefits.

Leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow as we continue to provide a closer look at the family farms bringing Michigan asparagus to consumers!