Farmer: Blueberries Are Good for the Body and Soul

Vandalia Gardens owner Cornelius Williams said he likes the nickname some of his customers have given him.

Blueberry King.

The king said blueberries are one of the best things humans can put in their bodies. Filled with antioxidants, blueberries are a very good source of vitamins C and E, along with manganese and heart-healthy fiber.

Williams said the , where he sells produce, has enabled him to have repeat customers for a few years now.

“It’s a great market and I think farmers markets are the things of the future,” he said. “We need to get back to supporting our farmers. Farmers made this country what it is and we need to get back to energizing that again.”

Since Williams’ produce is grown in Michigan, it has fewer miles to travel to get to its destination and therefore less spoilage.

“Why would we want to eat something from another country when you have it here?” he said. “We in Michigan need to get serious about products grown locally. We need to eat what is grown the closest to us as possible.”

Vandalia Gardens' name comes from the little village of Vandalia, but the farm is actually located in Cassopolis in Cass County, MI. Originally from Detroit, Williams also brought the “garden” to Detroit, where he began farming on empty lots and educating residents on how to build their own garden in their yards. This year, however, he has been transitioning back to his farm in Cassopolis.

Since Williams has a strong belief in educating consumers about farming, he thinks the farmers markets are the perfect place to have the opportunity to talk face-to-face with people at the markets.

Williams participates in a number of markets other than Wyandotte, including Brownstown, Flat Rock, Redford, Riverview and Romulus. On the west side of the state, he also sells at markets in Bangor, Cassopolis and Grand Rapids (Our Kitchen Table).

He is currently taking orders for blueberries in 5-lb boxes for the freezer as August will be the last month for blueberries.

The Wyandotte market is held weekly, from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, at the corner of First and Elm streets.