Capital City Tastes
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For many gardeners, a few flowers in a planter box or decorative pots are enough. Others cultivate carefully designed beds and borders. Henningson Farms, however, began with a simple family conversation that grew into a thriving agricultural enterprise.
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Tucked between the shelves of local favorites at Meijer’s Capital City Market sits a bottle of sauce with a soul. Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce is more than a condiment; it’s a heartfelt tribute, a mission for better health, and a vehicle for inspiring future generations.
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Meet Jodie Vander Meer, MS, RDN! Jodie is one of our registered dietitians at Meijer, and she’s serving up cozy comfort with this delicious tomato soup 🍅✨
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It all started with a holiday gift. Rhonda Rochlen & her husband, Paul, wanted to give something special to his then-landlord. When Paul asked Rhonda for ideas, she suggested a cake. The cake was such a hit that people started asking what else she baked. Rhonda began experimenting, tweaking recipes, and creating her own under a new name: BakeTreats.
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Cassie Puffs was founded by Claudilane Nascimento. Her nickname is "Nani," which is how the name was born! This popular Brazilian snack is called Biscoito de Polvilho, but until Nani Girl, there were few authentic cassava snacks in the United States.”
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During the COVID lockdown, many people took up new hobbies, including Toney Hines. His wife, Cynthia, was hospitalized with a non-COVID-related illness, so Toney was alone with time on his hands. He did what anyone who was in his position would do: He started making pickles.
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In 2019, Hannah started Hummus Goodness with a simple mission of crafting authentic Lebanese-style hummus with fun and unique flavors. "I grew up in a traditional Lebanese household where hummus was found at almost every meal. The hummus found in retail stores today are nothing like the hummus I grew up with which inspired me to start Hummus Goodness,” said Hannah. Luckily, five years ago, stores like Capital City Market put their faith in Hummus Goodness, and now their products are available at all Meijer supercenters.
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When you walk into Great Lakes Pot Pies, the first thing that greets you isn’t just the aroma of buttery dough and savory fillings; it's the feeling of comfort that lingers in the air. It’s the warmth of home, wrapped in flaky pastry and filled with care. Founded in 2016 by Jannie Teitelbaum, what began as a simple kitchen experiment soon grew into a Michigan-made legacy of handcrafted gourmet comfort food.
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Let’s say you have a craving for something sweet. Perhaps a melt-in-your-mouth cupcake topped with fresh frosting. Maybe a slice of carrot cake—but just one! Or it could be a made-from-scratch no-bake cookie that reminds you of your childhood.
If you’re visiting Capital City Market, your craving is sure to be satisfied with a sweet treat from Cupcakes & Kisses.
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When you think of dog treats, you probably think of bone-shaped snacks, bits of kibble, and perhaps a rawhide or pig’s ear.
Fur Real Dog Snacks are made from what dogs want: real meat and animal ingredients you may not typically consider.
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Levi Johnson, Jr. was born into a family of great cooks. His grandfather, Ottway Clemons, was a pit master. Everyone in Covington, Tennessee, sought out his Bar-B-Q special sauce, which was made with white vinegar and packed a lot of heat.
But Mr. Levi knew that in the north, grill masters and Bar-B-Q enthusiasts like their sauces a bit milder with a hint of sweetness.
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Michigan hockey moms are a rare breed. Shuttling their kids year-round to and from practice and games in rinks across the U.S. and Canada. They sit in ice arenas, cheering their players on, then spend time on the road in hotel rooms while their kids rest or do homework.
But in the case of Pam Aughe, RD and Lu Cannon, sometimes they develop a line of all-purpose seasonings that have cooks shouting, “Score!”
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Gabrielle Kassab, the “Gabby” of Gabby’s Garden Natural Foods, is more than the namesake, she is the driving force who comes from a long line of food and restaurant entrepreneurs. In 2012 Gabby and her parents Nick and Wesson co-founded Gabby’s Garden in West Bloomfield, Michigan. They taught her not just the skills of business but the values of perseverance and passion behind the food industry.
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Three unique and delicious ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into your meals this month! Brought to you by the Meijer Dietitian team.
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In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, a total of 364 gifts were given by “my true love,” including birds, dancers, and drummers.
We think we have some better ideas for the Twelve Days of Christmas this year: Unique gifts made in Michigan and available at Capital City Market!
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In Brazil, cheese bread (or cheese roll) is the go-to snack and breakfast meal. Traditional Brazilian cheese bread, called pão de queijo in Portuguese, is made by blending grated cheese into the dough and baking it. The finished product is approximately the size of a traditional dinner roll.
Thanks to Alvaro Oliveria and his wife, chef Marina Lopes, Michigan residents can enjoy this popular traditional Brazilian snack by popping frozen dough into an oven.
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He’s known to fans and followers as Chef Joe O. He’s a fan of polka dancing, a baker, a lover of desserts, and the creator of a variation of a pastry favorite of Pope John Paul. After a friend taught him how to make the Polish cream horn, it wasn’t long before strangers were calling and asking him to make them for weddings!
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Jarrell Cisneros and Nathan Engweiler have been friends since their high school days. About once a year, they would spend the day in the kitchen around a pot of chili, perfecting an over 35 year in the making family recipe. It truly became a labor of love – one that everyone around them was sure to benefit from.
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Roland Troutman’s dream began 13 years ago with a bottle of water. He twisted the top off the bottle, took a drink, and was surprised by a mouthful of grit. He said to his Granddad, "I wish I had a well. I’d sell bottled water that’s better than this.” His Granddad replied, "Well, why don’t you?" And his journey began.
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Christina Kalfaian created Papa’s Kitchen Dressings to honor her “Papa” Jimmy, and his more than 45 years in the restaurant business. She wanted to show her love and appreciation by centering her business around his unique pink salad dressing, a metro Detroit favorite.
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We asked Jodie Vander Meer, a registered dietitian at Meijer, to curate the perfect on-the-go salad, and boy did she deliver! Check out this easy peasy mason jar Greek salad recipe and get ready to meal prep the most delicious lunch you’ll have all week!
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We’ve got THE perfect summer mocktail recipe for you! Dietician approved, this refreshing beverage uses just a few simple ingredients to create a delicious summer treat, no booze required!
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A Michigan Centennial Farm, Dennis Farms is owned and operated by Kevin Dennis and his wife, Jennifer. Nothing says summer like a hamburger grilled over an open flame, and one of the best beef for a mouth-watering burger comes from Dennis Farms, located in the heart of Michigan.
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Since 1999, Taste of Thai has been a go-to for anyone in Lansing and East Lansing wanting authentic Thai food. Yao Middleton is the second-generation owner of Taste of Thai, and she and her daughter, Bea, now third generation, have seen the restaurant through many changes.
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Connor Long's BBQ expertise runs in his blood. Connor’s uncle is the Executive Chef at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, his dad is a weekend BBQ connoisseur, and Connor attended culinary classes at Wilson Talent Center at Webberville High School.
In May of 2021, Connor went from studying the culinary arts to putting his learning into practice.
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What makes an authentic coney dog? It’s hard to say, but a Detroit-style is a grilled hot dog in a steamed bun topped with yellow mustard, a meat-based chili sauce, and chopped onions.
And thanks to Christina Coden’s Red Hots Chili Sauce company, you can make a Detroit-style Coney yourself.
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Shannon is an author, podcaster, and the founder of the global Rockstar Woman Brunch Experience. She’s been named one of the 200 Most Powerful Business Women in West Michigan and recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. Shannon is also the founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc, a boutique firm that creates products, spaces, and experiences to invest in the emotional wellbeing of people who lead, love, and serve in transformational ways.
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2020 was the best year of Deardra Westfall’s life. That’s not something you hear often, but the pandemic ushered in changes that led to her passion for sea moss and the formation of her company, Nature’s 92.
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Meet Danielle Mayes, from Amayesing Graze Charcuterie. Her company is a mid-Michigan licensed and fully insured catering company specializing in charcuterie and cheese grazing boards, using fresh, elegant, and locally sourced ingredients arranged into a stylish, abundant showcase.
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Jordyn Gudeman was just four years old when she had her first anaphylactic reaction to tree nuts. When Jordyn’s allergy was discovered, food labels rarely stated that the item was processed in a facility that contained nuts, so her family had to play it safe. Jordyn baked her cookies for herself and her siblings, mostly, but she did bring them to parties or birthday celebrations—and her friends loved them. So when it came time to pick a career, she and parents decided to start Eddie G’s Cookies.
