TRAVERSE CITY — There is a new pie coming to the Grand Traverse Pie Company thanks to a partnership with Pure Michigan.
The newest pie addition to the menu at Grand Traverse Pie Company is the Pure Michigan Maple Glazed Apple Pie made with Michigan-grown apples.
A classic fall pie filled with Michigan apples and hints of cinnamon and maple all wrapped up in Grand Traverse Pie’s signature flakey crust and topped with a sweet Michigan maple glaze.
“We’re partnering with Pure Michigan for this one variety to kind of deepen our relationship with those folks. We’re pretty proud of the relationship. We’re proud of the pie and obviously proud of where we live,” said Mike Busley, Grand Traverse Pie Company founder.
The Michigan apples are grown by the Amos family near Traverse City, and processed by the Smeltzer Orchard Company in Frankfort.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Grand Traverse Pie Company to highlight Michigan farmers and our state’s rich agricultural diversity,” Pure Michigan Vice President Kelly Wolgamott said. “Bringing the flavors of Michigan-grown apples and GTPC’s signature Maple Glaze together in one Michigan-made pie creates a delicious Pure Michigan pairing that is the perfect way to celebrate the fall harvest season.”
The Pure Michigan Maple Glazed Apple Pie will be available Sept. 23 through December. It will be sold in both six-inch and nine-inch sizes in all GT Pie locations, and in scores of supermarkets across Michigan and into Indiana.
This summer, the two organization collaborated to create a “fruits of summer” pie, made with both Michigan cherries and blueberries and topped with brown sugar.
The partnership between Grand Traverse Pie Company and Pure Michigan will also support initiatives at MI Kids Matter.
“Our Michigan growers nurture each apple, cherry and blueberry that go into our pies,” GT Pie Company’s Co-founders Mike and Denise Busley said. “Caring for fruit early on leads to a better pie, just like nurturing each child leads to greater outcome, stronger humans and greater success later in life.”
MI Kids Matter is a resource from the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential Office of Great Start and aims to find what parents and families need to give their child their best chance at health, happiness, and success.
“We all have big goals for our kids. We want them to meet their milestones, be ready for kindergarten, become strong readers, graduate from high school, and get the skills they need for good-paying jobs,” MiLEAP acting director Michelle Richard said. “Here at MiLEAP, we’re connecting Michiganders with tools to thrive at every stage of their life. We’re so proud to partner with the GT Pie Company to spread the word about resources like MI Kids Matter which was designed especially for people who are helping our youngest Michiganders get what they need to learn and grow.”
More information on MiLEAP programming can be found at MiLEAP’s website.
All of the flour and sugar used to make every pie comes from Michigan farmers. Over 90% of all Grand Traverse Pie Company purchases come from Michigan farmers, processors and suppliers.
The pies will be available nationally through the Grand Traverse Pie Company website.