Grand Rapids' Doorganics puts down roots, adds new healthy food options

After operating out of several temporary locations since its launch in July, organic produce home delivery company Doorganics has finally put down roots in a more permanent facility.

The new 3,000-square-foot home at 353 Fuller Ave. NE provides Doorganics with enough space for future growth as well as a 12-ft. by 12-ft. walk-in refrigerator that can be expanded to 12-ft. by 20-ft., if needed.

"When we launched in July, all our produce was in season," says owner Mike Hughes. "The farm would pick [the produce] in the morning, we'd pick it up at noon and put it in delivery bins that day. Now that we're out of the Michigan growing season, Ingraberg Farm is sourcing our produce from all over the country and we need to refrigerate it when it comes in."

Doorganics began with 20 deliveries per week and is now making 180 deliveries per week. Hughes expects even more growth as new programs roll out.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, Doorganics will make deliveries to Metro Health so employees who purchase from Doorganics can pick up their produce in one central location.

In addition, all customers will be able to place add-on orders for non-produce items including:
•    Baked goods from Ninth Bridge Market, Ada
•    Meats from Crane Dance Farm, Middleville
•    Natural chicken and raw honey from Back to Basic Living Farm, Cadillac
•    Coffee from Swiss Mountain Coffee, Comstock Park

Ordering the add-on products goes live on a new Doorganics website in mid-December.

"We bring the farmers market to people who don't have the time to go," Hughes says. "And we think that being so close to the Fulton Street Farmers Market will make it easier for our farmers to deliver to us."

Source: Mike Hughes, Doorganics
Writer, Photography: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

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