Oryana Community Co-op has prioritized local vendors since its inception in 1973, and that commitment to a strong, resilient local economy is stronger than ever. Supporting farmers, makers, and brands in Michigan is a core tenant of what we do and reflects the priorities of our owners.
We’re proud to label Michigan-made, Michigan-grown products as local in our stores, making it easier to support local in nearly every aisle.
What Does Local Mean?
Like so many terms in the food industry, the definition of local varies by brand, region, and even product. There is no universal definition of “local” in retail, which has led to pervasive “localwashing” and flexible definitions of the term.
In our research, we found that the most consistent definition of “local” is any product raised, produced, and distributed within the same state. We adopted this definition to ensure our owners and shoppers know exactly what they’re buying and to align with our industry comparators.
You can explore just a few of our made-in-Michigan vendors and farmers here.
Northern Michigan Vendor of the Year Award
Oryana is often the first retailer to bring in products from local farmers and vendors. Helping small businesses grow is part of our identity, and we invest time, resources, and shelf space to developing local brands with an engaging story and quality product.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible, vendors must:
- Operate within 100 miles of Oryana based on their business, farm, or facility address.
- Hold valid licensing and compliance records.
- Pay taxes in any county within 100 miles of Traverse City.
Finally, the vendor must demonstrate that it played a significant role in Oryana’s success in meeting our financial and community-focused goals over the past year.
What’s the Criteria?
We evaluated over 50 qualifying local vendors based on the following criteria:
Reliability: Delivers quality, consumer-ready product on time, without fail.
Quality: Product meets or exceeds expectations.
Growth: Sales of the brand have increased significantly year-over-year.
Impact: The vendor has demonstrated a positive impact on the community through event participation, charitable giving, or related programming.
Employment: The vendor has increased its workforce, supporting sustainable, full-time employment in the area.
Marketing: The vendor maintains a cohesive marketing presence that makes their products more visible among qualified customers, supporting sales at Oryana.
Our 2026 Northern Michigan Vendor of the Year Finalists
Our selection committed narrowed down our expansive list of farmers and vendors to five finalists for 2026:
- Leelanau Cheese
- Anavery Fine Foods
- Lakeview Hill Farm
- Second Spring Farm
- Farm Club
We’ll announce the winner of the Northern Michigan Vendor of the Year Award on Friday, September 25, at our Meet A Farmer Night event!
Northern Michigan Vendor of the Year Winners
Northern Michigan Vendor of the Year Winners2026 – Stay tuned!
