June 9, 2021

Michigan’s Only Cooperatively Owned Brewery Releases Brews in Collaboration with Members

From the Keweenaw Co-op to the Detroit People’s Food Co-op, Michigan is home to many cooperatively owned grocery stores (shoutout to Marquette Food Co-op on celebrating 50 years!)Marquette…

May 11, 2021

MEDC Pitch Contest Awards Upper Peninsula Value Added Producers

Another big wave of support has made its way to Upper Peninsula value-added food producers! As economic recovery efforts across Michigan gather momentum, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation…

April 30, 2021

Strengthening Michigan’s Seafood Industry

Whether it’s haddock or crab from the Atlantic Coast, or a shrimp grown in Michigan (yes, really!), how much seafood do you consume at home every week? During…

March 9, 2021

Moving U.P. Food Businesses Online

We are excited to announce that Taste the Local Difference has partnered with the Upper Peninsula Small Business and Development Center (SBDC) to offer 20 U.P. food and…

February 18, 2021

Five Food Focused Films for 2021

I love using film as a method to learn more about food. Each February, I share some films that have impacted my perspective around food. See my picks…

October 23, 2020

Finding Home: Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters

Like numerous other Michiganders, David Gough grew up with fond memories of visiting the Upper Peninsula as a kid. Every year, he found himself in this magical place…

September 23, 2020

All Things Local: Yooper Jambalaya

During a normal year, the Marquette Food Co-op regularly hosts food demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes. However, this year, they are hosting these events virtually with an area…

May 28, 2020

Local Food Communities are going Virtual

For me, spring is often the time spent finalizing the plans for the summer ahead. In the Upper Peninsula, it means the weather is finally suitable for traveling…

March 25, 2020

Les Cheneaux Culinary School: Cultivating Culinary & Local Food Culture

Les Cheneaux Culinary School (LCCS), located in Hessel, was brought to life in September of 2014 by the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation (LCCF), a group of individuals who…

February 24, 2020

Soup for the Soul: Ham & Whitefish Soup

During holiday debates about featured proteins, I’ve always been open minded – as long as it wasn’t ham. Recently at a food-tasting of Case Country Farm meats at…