“We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ It’s always about critical connections”
Our Story -
The Western UP 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 all community members. We are committed to making food sovereignty, equity, and justice a reality for all peoples throughout the region known as Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, but also known as the Anishinaabe homelands and ceded-territory established by the Treaty of 1842; thus, we are not constrained by boundaries, but by the willingness of those committed to food and food systems in the surrounding regions including local state, Indigenous, and neighboring states’ homelands and waters.
Kathy Smith teaching honorable harvesting at the Wild Leek Workshop in April 2019.
In our personal and professional roles, we join a dynamic set of skills, expertise, experiences, and talents to learn more about our shared food system and communities, to identify opportunities to support food systems work throughout our region, and to collectively implement food systems change. Our work is possible because of those who have led this work and cared for these lands before us.
Vision -
We aim to create a supportive, interconnected, and equitable food system across our region through service and stewardship for the wellbeing of our earth, air, and water, and all living beings.
Mission -
We work to strengthen our communities by identifying and supporting our food systems’ unique gifts, local needs, and regional priorities.
Purpose -
We work together because we are stronger in our collective efforts than we are alone. Through our collaborations, we update one another on our work, share community and personal successes, and request assistance when needed. We make connections with, learn from, and build relationships with each other as we organize shared efforts for food sovereignty and justice in our communities.
Goal -
Our overarching goal is to enhance the wellbeing of all communities through the following objectives:
Objective 1: Develop & Maintain a Food Systems Collaborative
Objective 2: Share Knowledge in Annual Reports
Objective 3: Establish & Sustain Working Groups
Objective 4: Support Community Knowledge Exchange Events
Objective 5: Assess Community Food Systems & Food Sovereignty
Objective 6: Conduct a Food Hub Feasibility Study
Objective 7: Support & Participate in Food System Infrastructure
Objective 8: Create & Engage in an Interconnected Food System
Organizational Structure -
WUPFSC is a grassroots collective composed of various individuals and groups. As such, we work to be non-hierarchical in our organizational structure. We are not an elected council and are not a regulatory body. Work groups emerge as needed to implement shared goals. Work groups report back to the planning team.
Planning Team, Work Groups, and Meetings
WUPFSC is guided by a planning team that meets monthly. This planning team and its monthly meeting are open to anyone who wishes to join. Members may pass the invite to anyone.
To date, work groups have emerged to assist in the facilitation of listening sessions, Western UP Grower meetings, food summits, and other meetings with various partners as needed. Meetings are announced through our digital mailing list and website, https://www.wupfoodsystems.com/.
“As community members we all have a vested interest in the food systems of the surrounding area. ”