Buying local is a personal choice. But what our research appears to be saying is: Don’t judge local products by their price alone. Take a minute to understand the impact the production of cheap food, made thousands of miles away, has on the community where you live.
Pick of the Week: Spinach
So far this summer, one of my favorite things to do is leave the office on a Wednesday morning to run down to the farmers market.
Pick of the Week: Asparagus
Since I arrived in Traverse City, I have not stopped hearing about the asparagus. So I wasn’t too surprised when I went to the farmers market last week and asparagus was everywhere.
Ten Cents a Meal program is expanding
If you are a northwest Michigan farmer who grows fruits or vegetables and you like the idea of local school children eating the food you grow-or you just want more sales-now is the time to explore those new markets. The Michigan Land Use Institute and Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District are launching an expanded two-year pilot project that could mean up to $200,000 in sales of local agricultural products to schools in eight districts in four counties.
Network advances local food at institutions
A new Michigan Farm to Institution Network is helping schools, hospitals, day care centers, senior living and other institutions ramp up their purchases of locally grown food.
MLUI Welcomes New Members to Board
The Michigan Land Use Institute recently welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors: Bill Milliken Jr. and Jennifer Blakeslee.