Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers of Michigan

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Detroit Agriculture Network

Food Bank Council of Michigan

Michigan Agribusiness Association

Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Michigan Farm Bureau

Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA)

Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS)

Michigan Land Use Institute

MSU Product Center

Northern Initiatives

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

b.        State Departments and Food Policy

Michigan Food Policy Council includes a broad spectrum of governmental agencies who work in partnership with fellow council members. These agencies contribute time, knowledge and resources to address a range of food policy issues. In addition, the 2006 Michigan Food Policy Council report calls on several state departments to implement programs central to the recommendations, as well as their work in serving the citizens of Michigan.

MDA - Michigan Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture serves, promotes and protects the food, agricultural, environmental, and economic interests of the people of Michigan.  The top priorities for MDA are ensuring food safety and security, animal and plant health and protection, environmental stewardship, a viable agricultural economy, consumer protection and homeland security.         

MDCH - Michigan Department of Community Health

The Department of Community Health strives for a healthier Michigan by taking steps to prevent disease, promote wellness and improve quality of life.  Some examples of the focus on nutrition include:  the Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, the Michigan Strategic Plan for Diabetes, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, Project Fresh and the community Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool .

MDHS - Michigan Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services assists children, families and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable and self-supporting.  MDHS administers the Food Assistance Program (FAP) for Michigan that supplements the food purchasing power of low-income individuals and families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds 100% of this program and Michigan shares administrative costs with the federal government. The Department of Human Services (DHS) determines eligibility for food assistance.

MDEQ - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

The Department of Environmental Quality houses a variety of programs that work to protect and enhance Michigan's environmental and public health.  For example, the MDEQ's Pollution Prevention Program works with farmers to provide loans to producers who are reducing or limiting the generation of potential sources of environmental contamination. 

MDE - Michigan Department of Education

The Department of Education oversees not only education in the state but also the meals of students during the school day.  Within MDE, the Office of School Support Services oversees the administration of several different federal and state programs.

The federal Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs include: the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Team Nutrition, Food Distribution Program for Schools, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program which provide nutritious meals to children and food to low income families.

DLEG - Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth

The Department of Labor and Economic Growth promotes job creation and economic growth in Michigan.  For example, Michigan Economic Development Corporation administers Community Development Block Grants , Michigan Regional Skills Alliances , and Green Jobs Initiative .

c.         Recent Legislation

PA 231 of 2008 : Sponsored by Sen. Jansen, et al, this bill provides economic incentives for the development of supermarkets, grocery stores, product markets and delis selling specific food items in underserved urban and rural areas.

PA 343 of 2008 : Sponsored by Rep. Gonzales, this bill raises the competitive bidding threshold for elementary and secondary school food purchases from to $100,000.

PA 344 of 2008 : Sponsored by Rep. Hansen, this bill raises the competitive bidding threshold for intermediate school district food purchases to $100,000.

            *PA 343 and 344 of 2008, together make it easier for schools to purchase food from local farms and community gardens.

PA 100 of 2008 : Sponsored by Rep. Ebli, et al, this bill establishes a Michigan Promotion Program to promote tourism and business development in Michigan. It includes provisions for and encouragement of agri-tourism.

d.        State-Sponsored Initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships

                                                               i.       Agriculture and Agri-Business Initiatives

Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones

             In 1997, Michigan became the first state in the nation to offer tax-free Renaissance Zones to help spur new jobs and investments. Agricultural Renaissance Processing Zones, created in 2003, are designed to help utilize and transform Michigan's raw commodities in the state into processed and value-added agriculture products and improve markets and profitability for Michigan growers.

Green Jobs Initiative

             The Michigan Green Jobs Initiative is designed to help make sure the emerging industries and green economy have the trained workers they need to grow and prosper. The Agricultural and Natural Resources Conservation Industries are included an integral element of the Green Jobs Initiative.

Julian-Stille Agricultural Innovation Program

            The grants from the Agricultural Innovation Fund, also known as the Julian-Stille Value-Added Program, are competitive and designed to establish, retain, expand, attract or develop valued-added agricultural processing and related production operations in Michigan.

For information on recent grant activities please read the 2008 Ag Innovation Grant Report

Michigan Business One-Stop

             Everything you need to do business in our great state is right here in this one stop shop -- from information about licensing and permits, to tax registration and unemployment insurance. 

Michigan Commodities Groups Database

            A detailed list of Michigan commodity producer associations.

Pollution Prevention Program

            The Department of Environmental Quality program to assist farmers and producers in reducing pollution in operations and waste management.

Regional Skills Alliances

            A MiRSA is a regionally and industry-based partnership among employers, educational institutions, training providers, economic development organizations, and public workforce system agencies. All of these groups come together to plan for and solve workforce problems in an innovative way with a commitment to doing so over the long-term.

Agri-Food Regional Skills Alliance

Thumb Area Agri-Business 2100

Forest and Timber Products Regional Skills Alliance

                                                             ii.       Farmers Markets and Fresh Food Access Initiatives

Community Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool

The Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (NEAT) is an online assessment of a community's environment and policies related to promoting and supporting healthy eating and the provision of access to healthy foods within the workplace, community and school settings.

Farmers Market Promotion Program

            A collaborative program spearheaded by Michigan Foods and Farming Systems and Michigan Farmers Market Association focused on increasing farmers market access to low-income and diverse communities in Michigan.       

Food Assistance Program

The Food Assistance Program supplements the food purchasing power of low-income individuals and families. This page provides information on all Food Assistance Programs available in Michigan, including options for using Food Assistance Benefits at Farmers Markets and other fresh food retailers.

Garden for Growth

            A program of the Michigan Land Bank, Garden for Growth allows individuals and communities to lease vacant lots for the purpose of beautifying, greening and strengthening their neighborhoods.

Michigan MarketMaker

An interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Michigan, providing an important link between producers and consumers. Consumers can search for Michigan products from small and large producers, and producers can locate wholesalers, retailers and potential consumers for their products.

Michigan Nutrition Network

The Michigan Nutrition Network fosters multidisciplinary, community-based, public-private collaboration to build and strengthen alliances focused on nutrition and physical activity. MNN facilitates the development of effective, high quality nutrition and physical activity initiatives that reach Michigan consumers - with a special focus on reaching those with low income.

Michigan Farm to School

"Farm to School" applies to a variety of initiatives in Michigan, including efforts to offer local foods in school cafeterias, school garden programs, fundraisers that take advantage of local products, farmer visits to school classrooms and cafeterias, and field trips to nearby farms.

Project Fresh and Senior Project Fresh

Project Fresh is an educational program providing participants with coupons to purchase fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.

WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

WIC is a federally-funded program that provides a nutrition and health resources to low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

                                                           iii.       Michigan Promotional Initiatives

Cool Cities Initiative

Governor Granholm kicked-off the "Cool Cities" initiative in June, 2003 throughout the state, in part as an urban strategy to revitalize communities, build community spirit, and most importantly, retain our "knowledge workers" who are leaving Michigan in alarming numbers.

Cities of Promise Initiative

The Cities of Promise is an initiative that aims to re-develop our communities and reduce poverty in cities that are experiencing devastating conditions due to declining population, extreme poverty, loss of industry and jobs, crumbling infrastructure and blighted neighborhoods.

The eight designated cities are Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac and Saginaw.

Capitol Lawn Farmers Market 

An annual farmers market on the lawn of the Capitol Building in Lansing to promote fresh, healthy, local Michigan foods.     2008 News Release

2009 Dates TBD

Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism Association

The MI-FMAT website lists their 270 members that provide a fun farm experience and local food to consumers. Visit a farm, a U-Pick or a farmers market!

Select Michigan Program

            The Select Michigan program encourages retailers and consumers to purchase food grown and processed in Michigan. The Select Michigan logo is used to promote Michigan food products and can also be found on Michigan products sold at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and on-farm markets statewide. 

Travel Michigan

Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services.