UPPER PENINSULA — The U.P. Food Exchange, in partnership with Upper Peninsula Food as Medicine Team and Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress, has announced a grant opportunity to support the purchase of high tunnels, or hoop houses, for area farmers, according to a news release.

The grant program, funded by the Superior Health Foundation, will award up to $12,000 to one farm from each of the U.P.’s three regional planning districts. Funds can be used for the materials and labor to build high tunnels or other propagation structures.

The grant includes access to technical assistance for construction and food safety training. High tunnels extend the growing season, allowing farmers to provide food earlier and later in the year than if they were growing without the structures. Additionally, many crops popular at farmers markets, such as tomatoes and peppers, are best grown in a high tunnel. High tunnels are an important tool to make local food more accessible for more of the year in the U.P. but are one of the bigger expenses for a farm.

“Farm debt is a huge problem across the country. Even small-scale farming requires taking on a high amount of debt that is difficult to pay back, especially with an income that varies seasonally,” said Sarah Monte, outreach director at the Marquette Food Co-op and UPFE member. “UPFE is thrilled to be working on a project that helps minimize or remove a financial barrier for our area farms. All of us in the community benefit when local farms succeed.”

The high tunnel grants are meant to complement the other component of the Food as Medicine Collaboration, which is a Prescription for Health Program.

In Prescription for Health, individuals at risk for or diagnosed with a chronic health condition who also have an economic barrier to purchasing fresh produce are referred by an approved health care practitioner to the program.

Qualified participants receive vouchers each month that can be spent on fresh produce at participating farmers markets. The Food as Medicine team recognizes that to ensure there is adequate produce at area farmers markets across the U.P., area farms must also receive support to expand their operations and increase the volume of their produce production.

“Currently, 1 in 7 individuals or approximately 14 percent of U.P. residents are food insecure. With the national average at 10.5 percent, the local numbers are significant,” said Tammy Rosa, nutrition program manager at UPCAP. “UPCAP participates in many community initiatives throughout the region and is very excited to be a part of this collaboration of partners working to improve the food security of residents with economic barriers, while building a stronger regional food system.”

≤ Applications opened Feb. 28.

≤ Application deadline is 5 p.m. March 27.

≤ Awards announced April 3.

≤ Project completion deadline is Sept. 20.