After conversations and surveys, NWFP identified that lack of space and equipment to prepare, preserve, and process food is one barrier community members face. With the support of the Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership NWFP was able to purchase equipment requested by community members. Our library is set to open to the public on August 15th, 2025!

We are fundraising to support the first year of library operations! Click the button below to support the library. 

Location

The Food Equipment Library is located at the Community Center, 317 W 5th St in Grand Marais.   

Inventory

We have over 25 pieces of equipment ranging from harvest baskets and fruit pickers to vacuum sealers and 10-tray dehydrators. You can browse our inventory here! You'll be able to reserve equipment starting August 15. If you'd like to use equipment before then (as part of a trial run to test our systems) please email Kate at katech@northwoodsfoodproject.org.

Cost

The library has three different membership levels. 

In the interest of long-term sustainability, we’ve set up the library under a membership model. Members pay an annual membership fee and then an additional fee per rental. The membership fee will help us cover annual overhead costs like liability insurance. The rental fee helps us cover the cost of maintaining and replacing the equipment over time. We don’t want cost to be a barrier for anyone! There are different membership models to choose from. 

• Basic

  • $10/year

  • Full rental fee ($5-$25 per item, depending on the value of the equipment)

• Upgraded 

  • $35/year

  •  50% off rental fees

• Sustaining Member

  • $100/year

  • Free rentals 

• Food Equipment For All Fund

  • We are currently fundraising and hope to offer free membership and free rentals to community members who need it. Check out our donation page if you’d like to support this fund!

Check-out and return process

Equipment rentals are for one week. All equipment must be reserved through our online portal. After creating an account in MyTurn you will be able to select your desired equipment and your pick-up date & time. Community Center staff will have your item ready for you at the front desk. (Note: you won’t be able to create an account on MyTurn until the library opens on August 15th. )

Each item will have a user manual and cleaning instructions. You must clean the equipment before returning it! Any equipment that is returned late or not cleaned according to the instructions will be charged a fee. 

Hours

Equipment pickup and drop-off will happen during the Community Center hours:

Tuesday 9-4pm

Wednesday 9-4pm

Thursday 9-4pm

No equipment can be picked up or returned outside of these hours without prior arrangement. Please email info@northwoodsfoodproject.org if you need to arrange a different pickup or dropoff time.  

Requests

Is there an item you’d like to see added to the library inventory?  Submit your request below!

Thank you to our Food Equipment Library Sponsors!