Artisan sausages spice up the food scene

Link Love is an artisan sausage making venture that grinds, stuffs, and links its sausage out of Grand Rapid's Uptown Kitchen.

The business was founded by Kristen Fauson in March 2012, beginning on the same day that Uptown Kitchen opened its doors for business.

Fauson says she began in her own kitchen and found success with family and friends.

"I could not find good sausages in the area, so I played around with recipes in kitchen. They turned out very well," Fauson says. "Everyone loved them."

Fauson says the sausage making business is a perfect blend of business opportunity and passion.

"I have a passion for the local food system, especially with local meat products, and I wanted to build a company that was good for the local economy and farmers," she says.

Fauson currently sources her meat from Heffron Farms and, for the time being, focuses solely on pork sausages. She currently sells her product at the Downtown Market, The Fulton Street Farmers Market, and the West Michigan Co-op. Her product is also available for restaurants to purchase.

Like a parent attempting to choose a favorite child, it's difficult for Fauson to identify her favorite sausage recipe. "We just launched a Michigan cherry sausage [using fresh, Michigan cherries]. It is very unique -- there is nothing like it."

She mentioned that several restaurants who have tried her product really liked the Kalamata Olive and Feta sausage, as well as the the Sweet Onion and Fennel link.

Link Love is currently a one-person operation, with part-time help for market coverage when she is not available. As the business grows, Fauson plans to add staff. 

To learn more about this business, you can visit Link Love's site here or the Facebook page here.

Source: Kristen Fauson, Link Love
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor