Partridge Creek Farm Receives Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub Award

Partridge Creek Farm (PCF) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub for the Food Futures Project: Connecting Rural Production, Procurement, and Processing in the UP through Education, Collaboration, and Community. PCF is one of only two Michigan organizations to receive this award. 

The Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub grant is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant is administered by the Illinois Public Institute of Health (IPHI) with further support from Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems (MSU-CFRS). 

What this Award & Project Entails

This initiative will enhance access to locally grown produce from Partridge Creek Farm by incorporating it into the cafeterias of Negaunee and Ishpeming school districts. The produce will be processed at Northwoods Test Kitchen and prepared by Chartwells, ensuring that students receive fresh, nutritious meals. The project aims to address the challenges faced by local farmers and highlight the importance of hyperlocal food systems in the U.P. The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Award was made possible through the support of grant partners that include Michigan State University Extension, Marquette-Alger RESA, Northwoods Test Kitchen, and Chartwells, which will propel efforts to revolutionize local food systems in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 

The Challenge

The Food Futures Project addresses the challenges of traditional funding models that often favor large-scale, corporate farming, leaving small, diversified farms and rural communities underserved. By implementing food safety procedures and creating integrated supply chains, the project will connect local farms directly with school cafeterias. It will involve students in choosing their lunch options, promote healthier eating habits, and strengthen local agriculture. Additionally, the initiative will develop templates, training programs, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to help other rural communities adopt similar practices.

How PCF & Partners are Addressing these Challenges

This project represents a significant advancement in addressing regional food supply challenges. By focusing on hyper-local solutions, PCF and its partners aim to build a resilient local food economy, keep more dollars within rural communities, create local jobs, and provide fresh, healthy food to those in need. 

Rural Food Production

This award will significantly enhance Partridge Creek Farm’s capacity to supply nutritious food for the Ishpeming and Negaunee school districts. For the 2024 growing season, PCF aims to grow 9,000 pounds of food to benefit these communities. PCF’s collaboration with Ishpeming Middle School through the Farm to School program offers students hands-on experience in preparing healthy meals. We are eager to deepen our involvement in advancing healthy eating initiatives within these schools. But, before PCF’s produce can be used in cafeterias by Chartwells it needs to be processed.

Food Processing & Preperation Hub

Northwoods Test Kitchen, in Marquette , will serve as the preparation hub for fresh local produce that is coming from Partridge Creek Farm. Northwoods Test Kitchen will equip their industrial kitchen with supplies to prepare this freshly harvested produce. Once this produce has been processed it will then be distributed to Chartwells to be used in Negaunee and Ishpeming School District’s cafeterias. This collaboration with Northwoods Test Kitchen is mutually advantageous, providing Ishpeming and Negaunee students access to nutritious lunches while supporting Northwoods Test Kitchen during the off-season for tourism.

Education, Collaboration, Community

Working alongside community partners has been a key part in being awarded the Innovation Hub Award to help bring The Food Futures Project to life . Our commitment to a hyperlocal focus means that our food will travel within approximately a 10-mile radius, ensuring that every step of the journey supports and benefits our immediate community. This collective effort highlights the power of working together to create meaningful change and strengthen our local community!

We would like to especially thank the following partners for their help in this award

Ishpeming School District 1, Negaunee School District, Little Parsley Farm, UP Food Exchange