September 23, 2020

FoodLab Detroit: Envisioning a Post-Pandemic Restaurant Industry

“We can either use this crisis as a chance to create a more democratic economy where we’re broadening ownership and wealth, supporting businesses that are grounded in their…

September 15, 2020

Using SNAP/EBT at the Farmers Market

Due to the global pandemic, Michigan’s statewide food insecurity rate is predicted to increase from 13.6% to 21% by the end of the year.1 Food pantries and emergency…

June 11, 2020

Healing through Food

We’re almost halfway through 2020 and have experienced one crisis after another: from the Coronavirus pandemic and the closures of many local food businesses to a tipping point…

June 10, 2020

Dining Out? Here’s What to Know

Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend in Northern Michigan would have been the beginning of the Summer tourist season. But this year, it marked the beginning of a step towards…

May 29, 2020

Staying True in Tumultuous Times

The past few months have brought a lot of change and disruption for Michigan’s local food businesses. Vicki Zilke, of Zilke Farm Kitchen and Zilke Vegetable Farm, views…

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…

May 21, 2020

Making Valuable Connections

Imagine for a moment, a fresh Taste the Local Difference Local Food Coordinator, newly tasked with making new connections in their region to locally grown and produced foods.…

April 27, 2020

Small Boats are Easier to Turn than Cruise Ships

Every morning I wince at the new headlines: “Smithfield shutting U.S. pork plant indefinitely, warns of meat shortages during pandemic;” “Dumped Milk, Smashed Eggs, Plowed Vegetables: Food Waste…

April 24, 2020

A Letter to Farmers: Adapting in the time of COVID-19

This is an edited version of a piece created by Kristen Muehlhauser, a farmer and registered nurse in Washtenaw County. Learn more about Kristen, her farm, and her…

April 15, 2020

Supporting Local in the time of CoVID-19

During times of uncertainty, I find peace and comfort in drilling down to what I can control and do in my personal life. As someone privileged to currently…