The Northwoods Food Project hires first director

The Northwoods Food Project has been around for the past 15 years, but only recently hired its first director.  At the end of August the organization announced that Marcia Eiynck would be filling the role.

Eiynck told WTIP that she grew up on a farm, and has a background in wildlife biology. She cited working with Dr Seth Moore in Grand Portage as an introduction to the food systems in the area, and formative in her understanding of food sovereignty. She defined food sovreignty as “having the knowledge and the skill and the want to just get as much of your own food as possible.” In a press release from the Food Project, Eiynck wrote, “Food is medicine, and everyone should have access to local, healthy food that isn’t reliant on a truck rolling into town. I have followed the North Woods Food Project for many years and I’m excited to have joined the team.”

There are big plans for this next phase of the Northwoods Food Project. The project’s Board Chair, Hartley Acero, told WTIP that not only are they many ongoing programs, like the seed library, farmers market, and community gardens, but that they hope to be able to expand the resources they are able to offer. Acero specifically mentioned a food processing equipment library that the group is interested in facilitating. She said that with Eiynck is on board, the organization can work to expand their reach even further beyond the farmers market.

WTIP’s Mark Abrahamson spoke with Board Chair Hartley Acero and Director Marcia Eiynck from the Northwoods Food Project. Audio of that interview is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski September 30, 2024