An Iowa Gem

Yes. I am writing a blog post about a grocery store. What’s so great about a grocery store you ask? It’s the fresh Iowa produce, warm and happy people all around to help you, ultra-happy, leave it to beaver-type guys in the meat department, ready to wrap up whatever fresh meats you fancy, and the cutest doggone (yes, I said that) young kids carefully sacking your groceries and then oh-so-cheerfully taking them to your car while making pleasant conversation. You may think, “she’s lying” or “there must be something in the water.” But no, that’s just the way it is when you go to Fareway.

Maybe trips to Fareway fill me with such happiness because it makes me think of what it must have been like in my Great Grandfather’s Des Moines grocery store so many years ago. The store was, "Van's super value" and everyone loved John Van Ginkel, or “Honest John.” He was quiet, kind, and gave to others even though he didn’t have much to give. He ran his store during the depression, back in the days when the Van Ginkel household and neighbors would gather in their living room Sunday evenings, dividing out ration tickets for the upcoming week. During that time, families would come in with no money to pay for the food they needed, and my great grandfather would say that he would “put it on their tab” of sorts, though he knew he would never see their money. But, money wasn’t what mattered to this good man. From what I have heard of him, that seemed to be the last thing that concerned him. I think that he defined what I loved about Iowa and it's people. Honest, hard-working, down-to-earth, 'come on in' mentality. I love it. I can't get enough of it.

(My Great-Grandfather, John Van Ginkel, and my Grandfather, Jack Van Ginkel, outside of the "Van's super value" grocery store.I think they're pretty handsome.)

For these reasons and many more, I am proud of where I come from... the people and the place.