Winter's Bounty - Alyssa Copland

For me and my family, fresh food access means everything, especially when it is winter in Michigan. We love to eat healthy and cook together using fresh fruits and vegetables but that can be really hard to do when everything is covered in snow. ​This piece was inspired by the feeling of going to a local food pantry during the coldest months and being able to bring home colorful healthy produce that we wouldn't have otherwise. It shows that even in the middle of a Traverse City winter our community comes together so families like mine can still have a fresh harvest on the table. ​When people look at this, I hope they see that healthy food is a way we care for each other. I want them to feel the warmth of a family being able to cook a good meal with fresh ingredients no matter what it looks like outside. It’s about more than just food and keeping our bodies healthy and our hearts joyful even when it’s freezing out.