With roots firmly embedded in the pro-health, pro-environment, and pro-economy principles of a local food system, the Groundwork Food and Farming team creates markets for local farmers, and helps connect locally grown food to school children, food pantry clients and families across the state.
While much of our work begins locally in northwest lower Michigan, one of our guiding missions is to inspire a statewide culture of healthy, locally raised food.
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Food & Farming News
Behind the scenes at cherry harvest
A few weeks ago, the farmers market doubled in size. Summer had truly arrived and all of the stands were overflowing with new produce-local cherries in particular. All the farmers offered free samples, and there were few shoppers who didn’t give in. Cherry season had begun. To celebrate the occasion, MLUI’s Communications Manager James Russell and I decided we wanted to learn more about the cherry harvest. So we traveled up to Johnson Farms on Old Mission Peninsula to see it first-hand.
Debbie Stabenow Receives Helen Milliken Legacy Award
The Michigan Land Use Institute honored Senator Debbie Stabenow with its Helen Milliken Legacy Award at a July 27 dinner in honor of the former first lady and Gov. William Milliken. MLUI created the award to recognize those who carry forward Helen Milliken’s legacy of environmental advocacy and civil discourse. Stabenow is the first recipient.
TLD gets an upgrade
Taste the Local Difference (TLD) has had a decade of success connecting farmers with consumers. The TLD Food & Farm Guide is the iconic symbol of our small-farm community in northwest Michigan. In annual, pocket-sized, editions, it has listed a growing number of farms and food system partners. This year, we’re taking the successes of TLD and giving them an upgrade.