Calumet Community Free Fridge offers fresh produce to address food insecurity in Keweenaw
Sue Peterson with a crate of donations. Photo courtesy of North Harvest Farm.
Correction: Lee Peterson has been added as a volunteer coordinator alongside Sue Peterson.
In the Keweenaw, a significant challenge has long persisted: limited access to fresh and affordable food. This geographical predicament, often referred to as a "food desert," has hindered the community's ability to enjoy nutritious sustenance easily. However, food access in the region is expanding, and there are now many more ways to acquire fresh produce while supporting local farms and without breaking the bank.
This year marks the opening of the wildly successful Calumet Community Free Fridge started by Ashley TenHarmsel of North Harvest Farm. TenHarmsel partnered with volunteer coordinator Sue Peterson and Ron Rea of Calumet’s The Office Shop to offer a fridge of fresh produce, available to the community five days a week, at no cost to them and with no questions asked.
Ashley TenHarmsel. Photo by Lily Venable.
TenHarmsel says what sparked the idea was the Calumet farmer’s market taking on more food access programs and the continuing discourse on food access. Keeping an eye on social media, she saw community fridges being executed in other states on Instagram. Then, she attended a Women in Agriculture seminar last winter for an in-depth look at how it’s done. Finally, she took a leap of faith in her community.
“I had no idea how it was going to do, if we needed social media, if people would feel comfortable going, or would want to donate. But the farmers’ donations have been incredible. They're extremely happy to do that,” said TenHarmsel.
How it works: Calumet Market vendors bring plenty of produce to the busy Saturday morning market and donate what they don’t sell to the Free Fridge. Donors include Ghost House Farm (Houghton), Lake Effect Farm (Copper Harbor), North Harvest Farm (Calumet), Boersma Family Roots (Calumet), Whispering Wild Market Farm (Toivola), and Minnie Farms (Lake Linden). Calumet vendors Superior Cupcakes (Lake Linden) and Two Old Broads Bakery (Calumet) also donate leftover baked goods.
According to program coordinators, the fridge has been so popular that the donations are usually gone within a couple of days. The Office Shop recently put out a post on Facebook calling for local gardeners to donate excess produce.
“I get here at 7:30 a.m. in the morning on Monday. I get half a dozen people before 8:30 a.m. just taking what they need and being very grateful for the produce and being able to have fresh salads and eat healthy. Because times are tough,” said Rea. “I’ve seen tears several times. It’s been maybe 5 weeks. Each week, there is more and more energy. More and more items flow in.”
The refrigerator itself was donated by Rachael Pressley, and Rea comments that he will soon need a second fridge to house all the produce from local farmers and gardeners.
Cash donations are also accepted, which go to the farmers to buy their produce.
The program is in addition to the Office Shop’s existing free food pantry, where Rea also coordinates the distribution of winter clothes, children’s Christmas items, and non-perishable food items.
Rea says his personal motivations for helping the community come from memories of his parents.
The Calumet Community Free Fridge. Photo courtesy of the Office Shop.
“My parents gave a lot. I saw it when I was growing up. My father worked hard, but he always had time to help people. He fixed things and people’s cars at no charge. My mom cleaned houses for people at no charge. They did things out of the goodness of their heart just constantly. They always seemed to be open and giving,” said Rea.
“It’s a calling I think,” he continued. “The universe has pushed me in that direction. It’s something that I like to do, and I enjoy doing it. I’m lucky that people give me the resources I need to do it. And we’re going to continue to do it for as long as we can.”
TenHarmsel would like to see how they can expand the model to open more fridges around the Keweenaw.
“It would help to have someone leading that. Volunteers would be needed to get that set up. And then possibly multiple locations within the town. If people don’t have access to wheels, they could walk,” said TenHarmsel.
“We’re figuring it out as it’s going, and it's going really well,” TenHarmsel continued. “It’s the volunteers and donors and people coming out that really make it happen.”
To donate, or to pick up produce, canned goods, or other food items at no cost to you - visit the Office Shop at 25703 Scott St. in Calumet open Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Rea also comments to leave your name and number with him if you need something specific.
Follow the Office Shop on Facebook for updates.
This article is a part of a larger series on food access in the Keweenaw. If you are a food insecure Keweenaw resident in need of community resources, call 211.
