We were thrilled to join MSU Center for Regional Food Systems at the UP Food Distribution Symposium last month. The Upper Peninsula region of our home state of Michigan faces many of the same issues present across rural America: a lack of consistent, affordable distribution, limited access to processing spaces for produce and animal products, and the struggle to create a demand for locally produced foods. We gathered with more than 80 representatives invested in the food system, including farmers, institutional buyers, and funders, to discuss community-led solutions to this issue. Read more about our learnings from this community gathering: https://lnkd.in/g-igktEk
Our team at MSU Center for Regional Food Systems had the pleasure of partnering with food systems collaborators from around Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin in hosting the UP Food Distribution Symposium in September in Marquette. Distributing locally and regionally produced food across a rural area has its barriers. The symposium included speakers Stefanie Jaeger, Teresa Wiemerslage, Michael Lahti and support from Leo Isleib, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MSU Product Center, and Fair Food Network. Reach out if you have ideas on addressing rural food distribution in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. https://lnkd.in/enT2xXyx Samantha Stokes Jazmin Bolan-Williamson Alex Palzewicz Phil Britton Evan A. Smith John Fisk Parker Jones Wendy Wieland Marty Gerencer Aaron W. Jackson Emma Beauchamp