Sweetness on a spoon

Nestled in the heart of Petoskey, just a few scenic hours north of Chicago, American Spoon is more than just a jam shop—it’s a love letter to Michigan’s land, fruit, and flavor.

Since 1982, this beloved brand has been preserving the character of Northern Michigan, one small batch at a time. With its deep roots in regional agriculture, a dedication to craftsmanship, and a storefront that feels like stepping into a Midwestern memory, American Spoon has become a must-visit destination for food lovers traveling through the Great Lakes State.

“Michigan is central to everything we do,” says Noah Marshall-Rashid, the co-owner of American Spoon and the son of its founder. “We very much believe that the reason we’re able to make such wonderful food preserves is because we have access to this really great fruit.”

That fruit—sour cherries, Red Haven peaches, strawberries, and more—thrives in the unique lake-effect microclimate of Michigan’s northwestern coast. The long summer days, late-season warmth, and generations of agricultural knowledge make the region a treasure trove for anyone seeking the best the earth can offer. “This is one of the premier fruit-growing microclimates in the world,” Noah adds. “We’re not just sourcing commodity fruit and pumping it into gigantic cookers… We’re hand-peeling and pitting 50,000 pounds of Red Haven peaches every summer.”

American Spoon’s origin story is as rich as its preserves. In the early 1980s, Noah’s father left a brief acting career in New York to open a natural food store in Indian River, Michigan. A passionate forager, he filled the shelves with locally grown and wild-harvested goods. A chance encounter with a New York chef looking for American-sourced morel mushrooms led to a fruitful collaboration—and a realization that Michigan’s abundance had a story to tell.

That chef was Larry Forgione, a pioneer of American regional cuisine. “Larry came to visit my dad here in Northern Michigan,” Noah recalls.

“He looked out the window and said, ‘What are all those trees growing in rows?’ My dad said, ‘Those are orchards.’ That moment sparked an idea.”

Inspired, the elder Marshall-Rashid began making jam using heritage fruit varieties sourced directly from local farms. The first batches were cooked in the basement of Kilwins candy store in downtown Petoskey, where the aroma of jam reportedly tripled the pie sales at Jesperson’s next door. The goal was never mass production. Instead, American Spoon doubled down on small batch cooking—each jam kettle still produces only 60 jars at a time.

Walk into American Spoon’s flagship store today and you’ll find the same black-and-white linoleum floors, warm hospitality, and generous sampling spirit that have defined it for over four decades. “Hopefully it’s a warm, inviting space—great Midwestern hospitality,” Noah says. “You can taste anything you like in the store, and hopefully we’ll have a little sampling or demo going on, and then you can stock your pantry.”

Among the bestsellers are the deeply flavorful Sour Cherry Preserves— “really our best seller,” Noah confirms—along with Red Haven Peach, Early Glow Strawberry, and their Salted Maple Caramel. But there are also surprises. Their maple granola, first made for their café, is now popular enough to have its own dedicated production kitchen. The company has also expanded into cocktail mixers, like Peach Punch and Cherry Lime Punch, showcasing Michigan fruits in new, fun formats.

Yet, the heart of the company remains its commitment to its roots. “We firmly believe that great food relies on great ingredients,” Noah says. “We go through very challenging and difficult steps to preserve as much of that original fruit character as possible. That means small batch preserving and highly skilled cooks who know the fruit and take it to the perfect moment.”

American Spoon isn’t just made in Michigan—it celebrates Michigan. “There’s a connection between food and place,” Noah reflects. “What we hope to do is kind of celebrate that connection with these great products.” Whether it’s the generational farmers who grow the fruit, the foraging tradition that sparked the business, or the simple joy of pancakes topped with maple syrup and jam, American Spoon offers visitors a true taste of Northern Michigan’s spirit.

And for Noah, this work is personal. “Michigan is my home. Northern Michigan, in particular, is among the most beautiful places in the world. I always remember traveling all over Europe when I was in college, and I would call home… and I would say, ‘It’s beautiful here, but I’m not sure it’s more beautiful than home.’”

So, if you’re headed north in search of something special—something uniquely Michigan—make a stop at American Spoon. You’ll find their shops in Saugatuck, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and at their flagship location in downtown Petoskey. Taste the preserves. Chat with the staff. Take home a jar or three. Because sometimes, the sweetest souvenirs are the ones that remind you where you’ve been—and why you want to come back.

TOP PHOTO: American Spoon (EE BERGER PHOTO)