Photo courtesy of UPCAP

ESCANABA — For the second consecutive year, the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) is providing funding to assist and supply food to residents in need and to support food pantries throughout the Upper Peninsula, according to Jonathan Mead, UPCAP President & CEO.

Over the next several months, UPCAP will purchase more than $180,000 in healthy food from U.P. farmers. Food items will include eggs, meat, dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.), fruits, and vegetables. Once purchased, the food will then be transported from the farms to food pantries throughout the region. Last year, $150,000 was donated, serving over 3,000 households each month for 6 months throughout the U.P.

In addition, with the recent Federal withholding of SNAP benefits, UPCAP received over $63,000 from the Food Bank Council of Michigan to purchase $50 food cards for 800 SNAP-eligible recipients and to help stock local pantries during November. Residents who receive food cards are presently receiving services from UPCAP programs.

With over 14% of the U.P. population deemed food-insecure and/or SNAP-eligible, UPCAP has made food assistance a regional priority. Unfortunately, according to Tammy Rosa, Nutrition Program Manager, food security is an issue that will need ongoing sustainable resources and innovative solutions to resolve.

Among the Western UP food pantries helped by UPCAP are: St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantries (L’Anse, Bessemer, Watersmeet and Ontonagon, Ironwood St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Calumet Free Fridge, Crystal Falls Guardian Angels and St. Vincent de Paul.