Michigan Food Policy Council

MISSION The Michigan Food Policy Council (MFPC) cultivates a

safe, healthy and available food supply for all of Michigan’s residents while building on the state’s

agricultural diversity to enhance economic growth.

Michigan Commission on AgriclutureSeptember 16, 2009

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Organization• Originally created in 2005, re-authorized by Executive

Order 2007-44

• Council Chair: MDA Director or designee from MDA

• Funded, in part, by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation through March 2010

• Additional funding approved by the State Administrative Board in June 2009 to implement the MFPC recommendations

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Purpose

• Implement policies from the MFPC 2006 Report of Recommendations

• Identify and address new food policy issues as they arise

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FoodSystems

UrbanDevelopment

RuralDevelopment

Council MembersState Departments:

MDA, DLEG, DMB, DOC,DCH, DHS, MDE, DEQ,

MI Strategic Fund

Public Health

K-12 Schools

FoodProcessing

AgricultureOrganizations

(2)

HigherEducation

Anti-Hunger

Non-foodManufacturing

SustainableAgriculture

(2)Labor

Restaurants 25 Council Membersin E.O. 2007-44

FoodRetailers

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MFPC:Recommendations

Growing the agri-food economy• Agri-food entrepreneurship• Support for food processing• Information & collaboration

opportunities to assist agri-food businesses

• Grocery Stores in Underserved Locations

Cultivating Agricultural Viability• Farmland Preservation• New Market Development• Michigan Agricultural Visibility &

Ag-Tourism• Farmers and Farm Workforce• Role of MSU Extension

Accessing fresh and healthy foods• Healthy Food Access through Direct

Markets• Community and urban gardens• Food Assistance Program• Summer Food Service Program• Nutrition Education• Emergency Food Needs

Promoting Michigan Foods• Select Michigan Program• Farm-to-School• Dept. of Corrections & Buy

Michigan First• Support for Farmers Markets

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Progress in State Government

State Procurement: Department of

Corrections• Potato contract• Jackson-area MDOC

sourced 118,608 lbs of Michigan products in 2008-2009

• Purchasing Michigan collard greens, cabbage, radishes, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, cilantro, dill, corn, navy beans, red beans, and black beans

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Progress in Our Schools

Farm-to-School • Public Act 343 of 2008• Public Act 344 of 2008• Public Act 315 of 2008• Potential farm-to-school

opportunities: incentives for renovations/upgrades and challenges at federal level Picture from Gladwin County Record – August 4, 2009

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Progress in Food RetailPA 231 of 2008

• An property tax incentive for grocery stores in underserved areas

• Signed into law by Governor Granholm on July 15, 2008

• Aligns with concepts in the MFPC Report of Recommendations

• MDA was named in the bill as the lead in determining underserved areas in Michigan that would qualify

• Potential grocery industry opportunity: Food assistance distribution follow-up meeting with stakeholders this fall

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Progress in Farmers MarketsBridge Cards and Farmers

Markets

• Michigan is leading the way in accepting debit/credit and Bridge Cards at farmers markets

• Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), in partnership with MFPC, conducted a pilot project to help markets set up electronic payment systems

• Building a network and partnership

• Potential farmers market opportunity: Farmers Market Promotion Program response for a Fall 2009 – December 2010 Grant

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Special Projects

MI Neighborhood Food Movers

• Collaborative effort by the State Of Michigan in response to Detroit’s underserved areas

• Project Leader: Kim Trent, Governor’s Office for Southeast Michigan

• MFPC is part of the “Core Team” along with MDA

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MFPC:Action Plans

Growing the agri-food economyAgri-food entrepreneurship & information/collaboration opportunities to assist agri-food businesses

- Model of regional agri-food economic collaboration-Online resource specific to agri-food businesses that would address issues or needs across business scale

Cultivating Agricultural ViabilityMichigan Agricultural Visibility & Ag-Tourism

-Model zoning from Agriculture Tourism Advisory Commission

-Support ag tourism legislation

Accessing fresh and healthy foodsCommunity and urban gardens

-Model zoning -State designation for cities

following existing food access assessmentFood Assistance Program

-State outreach plan

Promoting Michigan FoodsFarm-to-School

-Incentives for renovation or upgrades

-Federal barriers-Consideration of Farm-to-

School in state grant programsDept. of Corrections & Buy Michigan First

-Strengthen distribution or increase/expand processing capacity

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MFPC Promotion & Recognition

States looking to Michigan as an example:

New York

Ohio

Virginia

North American Gathering of State and Local Food Policy Councils – October 10, 2009

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More information and copies of the report at: www.michigan.gov/mfpc

Contact Information:Kirsten G. Simmons, Executive Directorph: (517) 335-4184cell: (517) 243-3987email: simmonsk@michigan.gov