Up North Progressive

On December 11, 2020, Rich Friske of Friske Farm Market in Ellsworth released a video statement declaring they are at war for their freedom to disseminate false information about a killer disease and the freedom to continue spreading it to their staff, customers, and everyone else who comes into contact with them. The state of Michigan said no and finally promised Friske if they didn’t stop they would punish them and make it hurt.

On December 5, 2020, Friske Farm Market held a superspreader event at their store. Hundreds of people not wearing masks or following any other COVID safety guidelines crowded shoulder to shoulder inside and outside to see Santa and buy apples. Local citizens and very likely former shoppers contacted state and local authorities that Friske deliberately tried to murder people to make a few bucks. Friske, realizing their stupidity might actually put them out of business did the right thing.

This didn’t stop them from complaining about it on social media. Using all the right words like the selfish, petulant children they are they mislabeled the state’s smackdown on their murderous business model as “tyranny” “fighting on the front lines” and “the ultimate war for our freedom”, they canceled their December 19, 2020, superspreader event and closed their indoor dining room.

Perhaps you shop at Friske Farm Market because they grow tasty produce and you like their baked goods. Perhaps you shop at Friske Farm Market because the staff is friendly and it’s a pleasant shopping experience. Perhaps you shop at Friske Farm Market because you like the Friske family taking your money and donating to political figures such as Gary Glenn, Lee Chatfield, Peter Hoekstra, Rick Santorum, and David Duke.

Or, you’re fed up with the Friske family putting people at risk but still want to do some last-minute shopping for tasty treats and fresh apple cider before the holidays. Just a short drive down the road you will find Royal Farms Farm Market and Winery. This store has everything that other place has: Top quality locally sourced products, friendly, courteous staff, but best of all, they follow all state-mandated COVID safety guidelines so you know your shopping experience won’t put you and your family at risk in the early weeks of 2021. They are open every day this week up to 3:00 PM on Christmas Eve. You can order online and pick it up at the curb. How awesome is that?

The best thing of all about Royal Farms Farm Market and Winery? Not one Trump sign in sight!

Local small businesses are struggling right now thanks to Trump’s refusal to do anything to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Dumping trillions of our tax dollars into the stock market and handing millions of COVID-19 small business relief dollars to billionaires instead of people who actually need it has stressed our economy to the breaking point.



There is one thing we can do to support those who struggle to stay open while doing what they’re supposed to do to keep their customers safe. Shop at businesses like Royal Farms Farm Market and Winery. Where we spend our money is one of the most powerful ways to support those who still support living in a democracy without resorting to divisive unpatriotic rhetoric when they are caught breaking the law.