Upper Peninsula, MI – The Western Upper Peninsula Food Systems Collaborative (WUPFSC) is pleased to announce the release of its 2023 Annual Report, now available for public review. This report highlights the organization's efforts to strengthen local food systems across the six-county region, emphasizing community engagement, sustainability, and food sovereignty.
Key initiatives and accomplishments featured in the 2023 report include:
Manoomin (Wild Rice) Camp: Coordinated by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, this camp focused on traditional food practices and cultural preservation.
Fall Harvest Celebration and Humongous Fungus Festival: Events that celebrated local food traditions and fostered community connections.
Biblio Bistro Series: Educational cooking demonstrations aimed at promoting healthy eating using locally sourced ingredients.
Portage Lake Seed Library: A free resource open to all, encouraging the preservation and sharing of heirloom seeds within the community.
Calumet Community Garden's Inaugural Season: Providing space for residents to grow their own food and engage in sustainable gardening practices.
Regional Farm to School Efforts: Collaborations aimed at improving access to fresh, healthy foods in educational settings.
From the Ground Farmers Market Collaborative: A grassroots initiative supporting local farmers and enhancing food access across communities, including the acceptance of food assistance programs at partner farmers markets.
Collective Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program: In its third season, this program provided $7,200 worth of fresh produce from area farms to 12 participating families, promoting food security and supporting local agriculture.
"2023 was a big year for growth and new connections for the Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative," said Evan Lanese. “reflecting on all the partnerships and strengths within the region gets me excited about moving our food systems work forward.”
The full 2023 Annual Report, along with reports from previous years, is available for download on the WUPFSC website:
Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative
Community members and partners are encouraged to review the report to gain insight into the collaborative efforts enhancing the Western Upper Peninsula's food systems.
About the Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative
The Western Upper Peninsula Food Systems Collaborative is a grassroots coalition of food growers and procurers, public health and civic partners, scientists, educators, land and water stewards, students, and community members. WUPFSC works to strengthen communities by identifying and supporting the region's unique food system gifts, local needs, and regional priorities, aiming to create a supportive, interconnected, and equitable food system across the Western Upper Peninsula.
Kimchi Bucket party at Porvoo Park in Hancock on May 28, 2023