Authors: Angie Carter and Rachael Pressley
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted life for many of us and our families. It is hard to know when life will go back to normal, and what that might look like. In the meantime, local farmers are making sure our local food systems still thrive and continue to implement their high food safety standards and transparent production systems.
The good news? Buying locally can reduce the number of hands that come into contact with your food, and many farmers are offering new options to help address social distancing encouragement, such as dropping food off at your door or providing a local pickup spot.
Times like these remind us of the benefits of a diversified food system that includes a strong regional food system: local producers have thriving businesses that can sustain communities, local farm businesses have the opportunity to be successful and contribute to our economy, and strong relationships can help make sure we take care of each other. The more we are able to contribute to and depend on our local food system, the more resilient we are in times of crisis!
What resources are available for those in need of food in the Western Upper Peninsula region? A number of social service agencies, community organizations, and grassroots efforts support community food access and community meal programs throughout the area.
We have compiled a working list of community food resources (Houghton County and surrounding area) in our area available for download and welcome additions. Other counties: Gogebic County, Baraga County, Iron County, and Ontonagon County.
In the Western UP, we’re lucky to have many leading a transition to a more just and regional food system through their foraging, farming, fishing, hunting, preserving, growing, and story sharing. We also recognize the high rate of food insecurity in our communities, and the immediate needs many in our communities face every day. Crises such as the Father’s Day Flood of 2018 or the COVID-19 pandemic can exacerbate already existing needs as well as make food access challenging in new ways.
To help parents of K-12 children during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amy Evans, a local Houghton parent, created a Google spreadsheet sharing local restaurants and schools with free lunches and more from across the Western UP Region. Click on the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet to find information from different communities about free meals for kids as well as other resources provided by area businesses. Additional information about meals (and much more!) can also be found on the Keweenaw Report’s COVID-19 resource page.
You can support elders in our community through support organized by Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. To reduce loneliness among our elders during the COVID-19 outbreak, Little Brothers is organizing food and prescription pick-up and delivery service, as well as medical transportation, friendship mail, virtual activities, and telephone calls to keep spirits up. Email or call Carol Korpela to learn more (906-482-6944 or carol.korpela@littlebrothers.org).
As of March 18, 2020, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has waived requirements to visit an MDHHS office to receive state assistance benefits. People needing to apply for or receive benefits can go to the MDHHS website (www.michigan.gov/MIBridges) to submit paperwork, report changes, apply for benefits, and complete the process for redetermining eligibility for assistance. This is a temporary policy change that includes waiving the requirement that those receiving or applying for cash assistance attend orientations at Michigan Works! Offices. If you’re unable to use MI Bridges, call MDHHS offices to get assistance at 1-800-642-3195, TTY 1-866-501-5656.
A list of information and articles about how COVID-19 is impacting food systems, including webinars about emergency response, can be found here. We also found some practical advice for those purchasing groceries.
Gratitude to those working on farms, in food service, for agencies, and in grocery stores making sure that food is still accessible in our communities! The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the importance of helping our neighbors. Area farmers are preparing now for the Summer 2020 season and need our support. Please buy, share, barter, and give local when you can.
Local producers can be found here.
(Updated: 4/13/20)