MLUI is so excited to introduce the two new FoodCorps service members who will be working from our office to promote and encourage local food and healthy eating at area schools. Here’s a brief hello from them both in their own words.
Farm Bill: It’s time to get it done
It’s hard to believe that we are just one month away from the Farm Bill expiring and yet highly partisan, polarized factions of Congress still have failed to pass a new bill. With one more week before Congress goes back in session, there’s no better time to contact your representatives to urge passage of a full five-year Farm Bill -one that different types of farms can plan around and that those of us who want to eat good local food can count on.
Cherry Capital Partnership To Provide Schools with Local Food
Michigan public school students will enjoy Michigan-grown fruit starting this school year, thanks to a partnership with Cherry Capital Foods and Chartwells School Dining Services.
Cooking with Kids at the Fair
Cotton candy and elephant ears are typical fare at fairs, but locally grown fruits and vegetables have become a new tradition with the Taste the Local Difference: Cooking with Kids at the Fair event at the Northwestern Michigan Fair.
Behind the scenes at cherry harvest
A few weeks ago, the farmers market doubled in size. Summer had truly arrived and all of the stands were overflowing with new produce-local cherries in particular. All the farmers offered free samples, and there were few shoppers who didn’t give in. Cherry season had begun. To celebrate the occasion, MLUI’s Communications Manager James Russell and I decided we wanted to learn more about the cherry harvest. So we traveled up to Johnson Farms on Old Mission Peninsula to see it first-hand.
Debbie Stabenow Receives Helen Milliken Legacy Award
The Michigan Land Use Institute honored Senator Debbie Stabenow with its Helen Milliken Legacy Award at a July 27 dinner in honor of the former first lady and Gov. William Milliken. MLUI created the award to recognize those who carry forward Helen Milliken’s legacy of environmental advocacy and civil discourse. Stabenow is the first recipient.