PCF Unveils Produce Cooler With Community Ribbon CuttingJun 25
PCF Staff, Board, and Partners Cut The Ribbon
On Wednesday June 26 Partridge Creek Farm (PCF) invited the Community, Board Members, Funders, and Community Partners a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of its new walk-in produce cooler. This event took place on Wednesday June 26th at 4:30 p.m. at the Partridge Creek Intergenerational Farm, located at 550 Cleveland Ave., Ishpeming, MI. This event was put on by the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP).
Farm Cooler
The creation of the farm cooler, a repurposed shipping container, marks a significant milestone in developing of the farm's infrastructure. This cooler will enable Partridge Creek Farm to safely store freshly harvested produce, ensuring its freshness for distribution to our community.
In 2024, PCF aims to grow and harvest 9,000 pounds of produce, significantly up from 2,000 pounds in 2023. This expansion is possible thanks to its 3.75-acre farm, which produces fresh food and serves as a hub for educational programs and community gatherings.
The Mural
PCF is proud to showcase the artistic talents of Chloe Walimaa from Chloe Lea Creations, who has adorned the cooler with a beautiful mural. This hand painted mural showcases produce grown on the Farm and aims to bring color and playfulness to the site.
Where Our Food Goes
The cooler will support Partridge Creek’s mission by enhancing food storage capabilities, allowing them to distribute produce through various channels:
Community Members: Via PCF’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and weekly Farmstand. This year, the CSA has 30 families and many SNAP/EBT customers, highlighting PCF’s commitment to food security.
School Cafeterias: Partnering with Chartwells Food Service and aiming to incorporate local produce into the Ishpeming School District's meals.
West End Food Pantries and Organizations: Continuing the tradition of donating to those in need.
Thank you to our Community Partners, Funders, and Volunteers!
The cooler's construction was made possible through the generous support of funders and community partners, including the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Community Foundation of Marquette, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the West End Health Foundation, and Enbridge. Partridge Creek would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of its volunteers, particularly Partridge Creek Founder, Dan Perkins, and the Lions Club Members, who collectively donated roughly 36 hours of their time to bring this project to fruition.
More PCF Summer Events
Skill Share: Wednesday June 26th also marked the first PCF Farm Stand of the Season, as well as the First Skill Share led by Keia Lewis of Botanica Quetzalli where community members joined to learn more about plants and herbs and the uses of these. Skill Shares will be select Wednesdays during the summer from 5:30pm-6:30pm, check dates on the PCF events page.
Farm Stand: Community members had a chance to shop local at the Grand Opening of the PCF West End Farm Stand! We welcome everyone to use food assistance benefits and shop fresh seasonal produce open every Wednesday June 26th-Oct. 4:30pm-6pm.
Weekly Volunteer Days: Partridge Creek Farm welcomes all Community Members of all ages to join a Weekly Volunteer Days at the PCF Intergenerational Farm, every Thursday 2pm-4pm.
Join a PCF Summer Event, all ages are welcome! Learn more by following the button below.
