A partnership between MSU and area producers will soon put dozens of homemade Michigan goods and recipes into local stores. One Okemos woman and her family make one of those products and they've stirred up quite the sweet story.
Sue Keegstra loves to cook, especially with her parent's homemade cherry topping. When she learned her sister had fallen into financial trouble, a recipe for success sprang to mind with a cherry on top.
"She was very upset...about to lose her home. I just said we cannot let this happen we're going to market mom and dad's cherry topping," said Sue.
A quick call to MSU's product center helped her do that. Researchers studied the recipe, deemed it one-of-a-kind and within weeks her family's favorite topping was topping store shelves.
"Never having done anything like this before in our life...it's very satisfying to see it be successful," said Sue.
Herkner's cherry topping is already sold in some local stores like Tom's, but what sue and her sisters are most excited about is that their product will soon be sold in Meijer stores throughout Michigan.
"Going into Meijer is really exciting...I love it," said Sue.
What she loves the most is the fact that an old family recipe helped a current family member start a-new.
"That's what we did this for, for my sister. I just wish my parents could see this...they'd be thrilled," said Sue.
Now, just like their product's motto, life for Sue and her sisters really is a bowl of cherries.
For more information on Herkner's Cherry Topping and to learn some homemade recipes click here.
