Celery producer Crispheart Produce celebrates 75th anniversary
Celery producer Crispheart Produce celebrates 75th anniversary
HUDSONVILLE, MI — Gene Talsma’s father, William Talsma, launched Crispheart Produce Inc. in 1940, making this the firm’s 75th anniversary.
“I bought the company from him,” Talsma said, adding that his sons Randy and Derick are in line to eventually own the firm. Talsma has worked full time for the company since he graduated from high school in 1960.
He notes that his “Crispheart” celery and celery heart brand is one of the commodity’s most recognized brands nationally.
The firm owns an efficient packing operation that is located in an industrial park in Hudsonville. This area is surrounded by the black muck soil yielding optimum celery production. The flat, rich land resembles Holland, which is the native land to so many who live in this area.
Although the immediate vicinity is known for celery production, Talsma said Crispheart packs and distributes for Michigan celery growers that are located in a 50-mile range to the south, north and west of Hudsonville.
Most of the firm’s customers take advantage of the local aspect of Crispheart and thus are located in the Midwest. Kansas City is the freight-cost balance point between Michigan and California celery shippers, so that is the western edge of Talsma’s usual shipping bounds. The company also has customers in the South and East.
Crispheart normally ships celery until late October. The Michigan celery deal traditionally begins in late June.