Now accepting UP Fresh Food Access Vouchers
A new food assistance program is now being accepted at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market. UP Fresh Food Access, from the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) and the Food Bank Council of Michigan, aims to help participants purchase eligible items from local farmers to support their health and our local farming economy.
What can I purchase with my UP Fresh Food Access Vouchers?
UP Fresh Food Access vouchers allow shoppers to purchase the following items from Downtown Marquette Farmers Market vendors:
Eggs
Maple Syrup
Honey
Beef, pork, and chicken
Wild rice, dairy items, and fish are also eligible, however, these items are not currently available at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market.
How can I receive UP Fresh Food Access vouchers?
To be eligible for the UP Fresh Food Access program, you must enroll in the Food as Medicine Program first. Once enrolled, each participant will receive $5 vouchers for a total of $25 per month year-round. Vouchers will be mailed monthly by the 15th of the month. Vouchers can be spent with participating access points across the UP. All vouchers expire on October 31.
How can I shop with UP Fresh Food Access vouchers at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market?
Bring your UP Fresh Food Access vouchers to the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market and give them directly to participating vendors for payment in exchange for meat, eggs, maple syrup, and honey. Wild rice and dairy items are also eligible, however, we do not have any vendors that offer these products currently.
Where else can I use UP Fresh Food Access vouchers?
UP Fresh Food Access vouchers can be used at a number of locations. One location that is open to the public most days is Lakeshore Depot located at 560 Fern Pl, Marquette, MI 49855. Lakeshore Depot carries several items from Downtown Marquette Farmers Market vendors as well as other Michigan producers and farmers including meat, dairy products, syrup, and honey. Please visit their website for hours of operation.
Click the link below to view a full list of Central UP access sites.
Does the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market accept other Food Assistance Programs?
Yes! The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market accepts several food assistance program benefits including:
What items can be purchased with each type of food assistance?
Each food assistance program has unique eligibility guidelines in terms of what items can be purchased. There’s a lot of information to keep track of! To help understand what items can be purchased with each individual program, we created a Token Guide. Pick up a copy at the Information Booth to reference as you shop!
Use your UP Fresh Food Access vouchers at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market to purchase eggs, maple syrup, honey, beef, pork and chicken.
Our Token Guide show what items are eligible to be purchased with each food assistance program. Pick up a copy at the Information Booth!