The Portage branch of
UP Health System in Houghton-Hancock has announced they'll be partnering with a local farmer to provide fresh, local produce in the hospital's cafe.
Niemela's Market Gardens in Pelkie started bringing in fresh-grown vegetables to the Portage hospital this week. Owner and farmer James Niemela says they started growing produce for market in 2008 and grow naturally, without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
"We are happy to partner with UP Health System - Portage to provide fresh, local, naturally-grown vegetables for their patients, staff, and visitors," says Niemela. "We appreciate the opportunity to broaden our market and share our produce with more residents of the Copper Country."
Among the produce the hospital cafe will use from Niemela's is lettuce, carrots, beets, chard, kale, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, escarole, endive, leeks, green onions, cabbage, and broccoli.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Portage Health
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