Jen Schaap, Local Food Policy Specialist, is delighted to report that the enthusiasm for opening new markets for locally produced farm food is very high. In year one, Jen set out to raise awareness for the movement by sharing the compelling stories of entrepreneurial success among area farmers, and by spreading the good news about improved health when communities eat fresh and local.

Lindsay Hall, our FoodCorps Service Member who works in the Boyne Falls and Pellston school districts, works with Jen to assist with school garden education, to conduct monthly tastings of seasonal produce with students, and to collaborate with community members, like Greg Carpenter of Crooked Tree Breadworks and Mary Rapin of Bliss Gardens Farm & Community Kitchen, to teach bread-baking skills, offer hands-on cooking experience, and give insight about running a food or farm business.

Ric Evans, who joined Groundwork in January this year, will also be at the event to talk about his work to promote solar. Anyone who knows Ric knows his enthusiasm, experience and sincerity for the cause of solar energy are infectious.

Taste the Local Difference Be one of the first to get a peek at the 2018 edition of the Guide to Local Food for northern Michigan, a free community resource that is packed full with local farms and producers, farmers’ markets, wineries, and delicious recipes waiting to be tried at home! Read unique stories about people working together within their communities and how powerful we can be when we support one another. Taste the Local Difference is excited to present the new Guide to Local Food with a fresh new look!

So, join Jen, Lindsay, Ric, and myself at Beards to share ideas for building community resilience. They can’t wait to gather feedback and learn more about what’s working and what needs to happen next. Come hungry and come thirsty—and we’ll see you Monday night at Beards!