Copy
The U.P. Food Exchange's Monthly Newsletter - 
THE PLOWSHARE
View this email in your browser

UPFE NEWS

UPFE Farm-to-School Fundraiser Success

As part of the UPFE mission, we support local businesses and efforts to increase access to healthy foods for all ages. The UPFE Farm to School Fundraiser program began as a pilot in 2015 and was expanded in 2016.  The program helps to coordinate fundraising for local schools and youth groups by arranging locally grown and produced, fresh and value-added products to be offered up as fundraiser sale items.  In 2016, three schools and one youth athletic organization participated in the program and raised over $9,400 for their activities.  Local products for sale included maple syrup, honey, hot sauce, beeswax candles, kale chips, jams, soaps, and root veggies from 8 local producers resulting in $8,405 of direct revenue.  If you are interested in participating or learning more about the Farm to School Fundraiser Program, contact Program Coordinator Courtney Dalman at (906) 225-0671 x726.
 

Meat Processing Feasibility Study Report available

A group of stakeholders applied for and received a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Strategic Growth Initiative grant in the fall of 2015 to be able to conduct a feasibility study to determine if more processing is needed and what type of facility might be feasible. The study, completed in December 2016, was conducted by Karen Karp & Partners and the executive summary and full report are now available on the UPFE website under resources.

Reh-Morr Farm Hiring


Reh-Morr Farm is looking for full-time farm help starting April 2017. References needed.
Inquire : Dan Rabine 906-361-3710 or dbrabine@yahoo.com or facebook Reh-Morr Farm.
 

MSUE Cottage Food Law Workshops

April 5 - Marquette, MI - 5:30 - 7:30 pm
April 26 - Rudyard, MI - 3:00 - 5:00 pm 
May 23 - Ironwood, MI - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

This workshop combines the business and food safety aspects of preparing and selling cottage foods safely and successfully under the Michigan Cottage Food Law. Learn what foods can be legally produced, and how to label and sell them. Workshops are taught by MSU Extension Educators.  To register for the April 5th class in Marquette from 5:30-7:30pm click here.  To Register for the April 26 class in Rudyard from 3-5pm click here.  Registration for the Ironwood session will be available in April.

For questions or more information contact Michelle Walk, MSU Extension at walkmich@msu.edu or 906-635-6368

Wild Mushroom Foraging Certification Class

April 8, 2017 - Hessel, MI

Midwest American Mycological Information (MAMI)  is proud to partner with the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and the Institute for Sustainable Living, Art and Natural Design (ISLAND) to provide training for certification in wild mushroom identification. Successful completion of the program is recognized by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) as sufficient to qualify for an Expert Mushroom Identifier Card issued by the State. Certification as an Expert Mushroom Identifier will last for five years, after which recertification will be necessary.  The cost for participants is $175.00 for those seeking certification and $85.00 for non-certification. Your reservation will be made at the time of payment. Payment must be made in advance.  Visit the MAMI website here for more information and to register.
 

Food Safety Training Event

April 6, 2017 - Marquette Township Hall, Marquette MI


The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires, ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course.

For more information or to register click here, contact Michelle Walk at walkmich@msu.edu with questions.

Group GAP certification

The MI GroupGAP Network is an ongoing statewide GAP certification program developed for small and mid-size farms.  Find out more information at the Grower Training on April 6th, or by emailing Phil Britton.  Deadline to indicate your desire to participate will be mid-April.
 

Eastern Food Hub Upcoming Meetings

 
Contact Michelle Walk at walkmich@msu.edu or Heather Hemming at hhemming@saulttribe.net for more information.

Central Food Hub Upcoming Meetings


UPFE Policy Committee Meeting

First Tuesday of every month

Tuesday, April 4th at 9 am at the Marquette Food Co-op
Contact Sarah Monte at smonte@marquettefood.coop or (906) 225-0671 x 723 for more information

CUP Farm to School Committee Meeting

Contact Sarah Monte for more information at smonte@marquettefood.coop or (906) 225-0671 x 723

Western Food Hub Upcoming Meetings


WUP Food Hub Steering Committee

Meetings are held at the Hancock Health Department, 540 Depot Street, behind McGanns Hardware.  Contact Ray Sharp at (906) 482-7382 x 163 for more information.

More to read. . .

Check out UPREC's monthly newsletter here

Check out MFC's newsletter here

Check out UPFE's website here
Copyright © 2017 UP Food Exchange, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp