DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
MICHIGAN FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the Governor;
WHEREAS, under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 the Governor is responsible for the faithful execution of the laws;
WHEREAS, developing opportunities for small- to mid-scale family farmers to capture a greater percentage of Michigan food dollars will increase the viability of agriculture, preserve open space, and revitalize rural communities;
WHEREAS, if Michigan consumers spent an additional 10 percent of food dollars on Michigan-grown and Michigan-processed foods, economic activity in this state would grow by $730 million, benefiting not just Michigan farmers, but our entire state;
WHEREAS, in 2001, only 76% of individuals eligible for food stamps in Michigan received them;
WHEREAS, increasing food stamp program participation closer participation closer to 100% would bring in between $60-125 million of additional federal funds for the purchase of food from Michigan retailers;
WHEREAS, food policy councils established in other states have provided government officials and stakeholders with a forum to identify policies that harness the potential of the food system to foster economic development, provide children and those in need greater access to fresh and nutritious foods, and support stewardship of our finite land and water resources;
WHEREAS, food policy councils have demonstrated effectiveness in bringing together a broad array of food-related government and non-government constituencies to employ a food systems approach that facilitates policy evaluation and program development at every stage of the food process from seed to table;
WHEREAS, formation of a state food policy council will benefit Michigan farmers, including small- and mid-scale farmers, local food processors, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers;
WHEREAS, creation of a state food policy council will provide increased focus on the economic development opportunities of Michigan's food system along with improvements to agriculture production, community well-being, and public health;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power and authority vested in the Governor by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, order the following:
I. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Order:
A. "Council" means the Michigan Food Policy Council established within the Department of Agriculture by this Order.
B. "Department" means the Department of Agriculture, the principal department of state government created under Section 1 of 1921 PA 13, MCL 285.1 and Section 175 of the Executive Organization Act of 1965, 1965 PA 380, MCL 16.275.
II. CREATION OF THE MICHIGAN FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
A. The Michigan Food Policy Council is created as an advisory body within the Department to assist the Department and the Governor in fostering a healthy and available food supply to all of Michigan's residents while enhancing the state's agricultural and natural resources, encouraging economic growth, expanding the viability of small- to mid-scale farms, and improving the health of our communities and Michigan residents.
B. The Council shall consist of 21 members.
C. The Council shall include the following ex officio members from within state government:
1. The Director of the Department of Agriculture or his or her designee from within the Department of Agriculture.
2. The Director of the Department of Community Health or his or her designee from within the Department of Community Health.
3. The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality or his or her designee from within the Department of Environmental Quality.
4. The Director of the Department of Human Services or his or her designee from within the Department of Human Services.
5. The Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth or his or her designee from within the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
6. The Superintendent of Public Instruction or his or her designee from within the Department of Education.
D. The following members appointed by the Governor:
1. Two individuals representing Michigan agricultural organizations.
2. Two individuals representing sustainable agriculture or sustainable agricultural development.
3. One individual representing institutions of higher education.
4. One individual representing K-12 schools.
5. One individual representing community-based urban development activities.
6. One individual representing rural development activities.
7. One individual representing anti-hunger organizations.
8. One individual representing public health organizations or persons with expertise in public health.
9. One individual representing food processors.
10. One individual representing food retailers.
11. One individual representing non-food manufacturers.
12. One individual representing restaurants.
13. One individual representing organized labor.
E. Members of the Council appointed by the Governor under Section II.D shall be appointed for terms of 2 years. A vacancy caused other than by expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term.
F. The Director of the Department of Agriculture shall serve as the Chairperson of the Council. The members of the Council shall select members of the Council to serve as Vice-Chairperson and Secretary of the Council.
III. GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL
A. The goals of the Michigan Food Policy Council shall include all of the following:
1. Increasing economic activity in Michigan resulting in new and expanded businesses and jobs across all food-related sectors in this state.
2. Strengthening Michigan's urban and rural areas with food-related revitalization projects.
3. Increasing access to fresh and healthy Michigan-grown foods, including for school children, low-income families, at-risk seniors, and inner-city residents.
4. Promoting institutional and public purchase and consumption of Michigan-grown and Michigan-processed foods.
5. Enhancing the viability of small- to mid-scale family farms in Michigan by promoting direct farm marketing, sustainable agriculture, and agritourism, among other initiatives.
6. Preserving farmland as open space and amplifying the environmental benefits of agriculture by promoting sustainable agriculture practices in Michigan.
7. Identifying strategies to increase collaboration and communication between state agencies in the delivery of food-related programs and evaluation of collaborative opportunities.
8. Recommending approaches that maximize coordination of existing federal, state, and local resources and capture additional federal resources for Michigan.
9. Identifying or recommending programs or pilot programs that enhance access to Michigan-grown foods and Michigan-processed foods.
10. Identifying mechanisms by which Michigan may expand markets for Michigan agricultural products, including, but not limited to, niche markets such as "organically-produced," "pasture-raised," and "sustainably-grown" agricultural products.
11. Developing strategies aimed at enhancing connections between Michigan growers and Michigan food outlets.
12. Developing recommendations to the Department and the Governor not later than October 1, 2006 to encourage the creation of at least 1,000 new food-related jobs in Michigan.
B. The Council shall do all of the following:
1. Develop and adopt 6-month, 12-month, and a 24-month recommended action plan for achieving the goals of the Council.
2. Make recommendations to the Department on the adoption of policies to advance the goals for the Council set forth in this Order.
3. Recommend policies or activities intended to increase spending of food dollars on Michigan-grown and Michigan-processed foods by 10 percent.
4. Advise the Department regarding the "Select Michigan" program.
C. The efforts of the Council are intended to positively impact the entire state with a special emphasis on school children, low-income families, and individuals in both urban and rural areas.
IV. OPERATIONS OF THE COUNCIL
A. The Council shall be staffed and assisted by personnel from the Department of Agriculture, as directed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture. The budgeting, procurement, and related management functions of the Council shall be performed under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Department of Agriculture.
B. The Council shall adopt procedures consistent with Michigan law and this Order governing its organization and operations.
C. A majority of the members of the Council serving constitutes a quorum for the transaction of the Council's business. The Council shall act by a majority vote of its serving members.
D. The Council shall meet at the call of the Chairperson and as may be provided in procedures adopted by the Council.
E. The Council may establish committees and request public participation on workgroups as the Council deems necessary. The Council may also adopt, reject, or modify any recommendations proposed by a committee or a workgroup.
F. The Council may, as appropriate, make inquiries, studies, investigations, hold hearings, and receive comments from the public. The Council may also consult with outside experts in order to perform its duties, including, but not limited to, experts in the private sector, organized labor, government agencies, and at institutions of higher education.
G. Members of the Council shall serve without compensation. Members of the Council may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses according to relevant statutes and the rules and procedures of the Department of Management and Budget and the Civil Service Commission, subject to available funding.
H. The Council may hire or retain contractors, sub-contractors, advisors, consultants, and agents, and may make and enter into contracts necessary or incidental to the exercise of the powers of the Council and the performance of its duties as the Director of the Department deems advisable and necessary, in accordance with this Order, and the relevant statutes, rules, and procedures of the Department of Management and Budget and the Civil Service Commission.
I. The Council may accept donations of labor, services, or other things of value from any public or private agency or person, including, but not limited to, support from Michigan State University, the Michigan Integrated Food and Farming System, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
J. Members of the Council shall refer all legal, legislative, and media contacts to the Department.
V. MISCELLANEOUS
A. All departments, committees, commissioners, or officers of this state or of any political subdivision of this state shall give to the Council, or to any member or representative of the Council any necessary assistance required by the Council, or any member or representative of the Council, in the performance of the duties of the Council so far as is compatible with its, his, or her duties. Free access shall also be given to any books, records, or documents in its, his, or her custody, relating to matters within the scope of inquiry, study, or investigation of the Council.
B. Any suit, action, or other proceeding lawfully commenced by, against, or before any entity affected by this Order shall not abate by reason of the taking effect of this Order
C. The invalidity of any portion of this Order shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the Order.
This Order is effective upon filing.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan this 7th day of June, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and five.
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
BY THE GOVERNOR:
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SECRETARY OF STATE
