May 28, 2024 | By Emilie Jacques
June is an exciting month for Copper Shores Meals on Wheels, marking many firsts for the year. With the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s short growing season, many of the first summer harvests are coming in, farmers markets opening up for the season and residents get their first tastes of summer.
“Eating foods that are grown locally translates to a significantly shorter time between harvest to plate,” Copper Shores Community Health Educator Meghan Jaszczak said. “This reduced time from soil-to-stomach translates to a more potent nutritional punch compared to its conventionally grown counterparts. We’re talking higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – and your taste buds will explode with delight because of the super fresh taste and top tier quality!”
On average, fresh produce travels 1,500 miles before being consumed. The $1.28 million LFPA grant we received in 2023 helps Copper Shores buy food within 400 miles of Meals on Wheels, meaning seniors are getting more flavor with every bite.
The growing season is a great time to feature salads with greens from Ghost House Farm as the main entree. Meals on Wheels also takes on a medley of vegetables from Boersma Family Roots, helping ensure that seniors are getting a wide variety of vitamins and nutrients into their diets.
Below are some featured meals and foods coming up in the month of June.
- Greens from Ghost House Farm in the chicken salad on June 6 and balsamic cranberry and turkey salad on June 20.
- Bison pot roast from Circle K Ranch on June 26.
- Vegetables from Boersma Family Roots throughout June.
- Chicken from Buried Stone Farms for BBQ chicken on June 14, lemon pepper chicken on June 17 and maple glazed chicken on June 24.
Help make sure that the local food legacy lives beyond the life of the grant, consider donating to Meals on Wheels at coppershores.org/mealsonwheels. To learn more about Meals on Wheels efforts to bring local foods to seniors, visit coppershores.org/meals-on-wheels-news.
