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 Retail
PA 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 Markets
Bridge 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 Director
ph: (517) 335-4184
cell: (517) 243-3987
email: [email protected]