Links

Food-business resources

Michigan’s Cottage Food Law – read and download information from the Michigan Department of Agriculture
Michigan Cottage Food Law Food Safety Training/Webinar – an online short course in food safety for those who are selling at Farm stands and Farmers Markets from MSU Extension
Take the Michigan Food Law Food Safety Quiz
Growing Michigan’s Future: A Guide to Marketing Your Michigan Food and Agriculture Products – click on Business Development and select all or part of this 100+ page guide from the MDA
MSU Product Center – connect with Innovation Counselors and other useful services
Chelsea District Library – click on their newsletter link to find out about classes and business counseling

Local food and where to find it in Western Washtenaw County

Chelsea Farmers Market – seasonal, Saturdays
Bushel Basket Market – seasonal, Wednesdays
Lunasa Market – online ordering , in-person pick-up
New Chelsea Market
Polly’s Country Market
Busch’s
Harvest Kitchen – prepared local foods CSA
Locavorious – frozen local foods CSA
Realtime Farms – put in your zip code and locate farms, markets, restaurants & more
Edible WOW – an online and in print magazine reporting on the local food scene in SE Michigan – primarily Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw counties (that’s where the WOW comes from)

Michigan Harvest Time info

Michigan Harvest Calendar – looking for typical harvest times for Michigan fruits and vegetables? Try this site from pickyourown.org.

Preserving and Canning

Preserving Traditions – a blog by Emily Springfield, our local expert and masterful instructor of preserving
How to Can, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Fruits & Vegetables at Home – more from pickyourown.org.
Q&A with a Master Food Preserver – Liz, an enthusiastic preserver and inspiration for younger canners, shares what she has learned
Pressure Canning Ratatouille – tips for mixed veggie canning

Tips for eating better

Choose My Plate – a US Department of Agriculture web site with features like healthy eating on a budget, sample menus and recipes and a fruits & veggies video challenge
Fruits & Veggies Matter – all about fruits and veggies; an interactive site
101 Ways to Eat Well – from Oldways, a source of practical and positive programs grounded in science, traditions, and delicious foods and drinks
Tips from a Meijer Healthy Living Advisor – posts on Lucy Ann Lance’s blog
The Sustainable Table – recipes and much more
PickChow! Food Game for Kids – the name says it all. Adults can play, too.
Fruits & Veggies More Matters’ Get Kids Involved in Healthy Cooking and Shopping
Healthfinder.gov’s Nutrition and Fitness page – includes shopping lists for foods rich in calcium, low sodium foods and heart healthy foods, and lots of other tips. Healthfinder.gov has a Facebook page, too.
The Eat Well Guide – put in your zip code or use it to plan to eat well on your next road trip
The Chelsea-area Wellness Foundation – look for blog posts tagged “Eat Better”

Family food safety

Food systems & policy

Fair Food Network – A non-profit dedicated to building a more just and sustainable food system; maintains a list of organizations doing related work
Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) – a nonprofit for vibrant and sustainable food economies in communities across southeast Michigan.
Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? – food for thought in this New York Times article