MDARD Partners with Greater Flint Health Coalition to Boost Local Food Access Strengthen Support for New Farmers

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced a new partnership with the Greater Flint Health Coalition (GFHC) aimed at empowering new and beginning farmers and increasing community access to fresh, locally grown foods. The investment is a key step in MDARD’s ongoing work to strengthen regional food systems and create more opportunities for Michiganders to enjoy food grown right here in Michigan.

“MDARD continues to make strategic investments that boost the resiliency of our local food systems, reduce barriers to farming and provide healthier food to Michiganders—all with the goal of improving quality of life across the state,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “By partnering with the Greater Flint Health Coalition, we’re helping new and beginning farmers access the resources they need while expanding Flint residents’ access to healthy, Michigan-grown foods. GFHC is focused on improving community health, and we know this investment will directly support that work.”

The $498,850 grant will support GFHC’s ongoing efforts to deliver:

• Support for Flint Food Consumers

This program will build trust in local food systems by expanding the use of the Flint Eats App. This innovative, community-oriented mobile application was developed by Flint Innovative Solutions to provide consumers with information about healthy eating and local food access. The app also encourages food retailers to offer healthy options.

• Resources for New and Beginning Farmers

Educational resources will be provided to help new and beginning farmers secure land, understand regulatory requirements, implement regenerative agriculture practices and operate a profitable farming operation. In addition, grants will be offered to help new and beginning farmers obtain certifications, hire staff and procure essential equipment, infrastructure and other critical supplies.

• Institutional Support

The partners will provide logistical and strategic support to the Flint and Genesee Food Policy Council and the Multicultural Food Sovereignty Network, two civil society organizations dedicated to increasing community access to healthy foods and building more resilient and sustainable local food systems.

To support these activities, GFHC will collaborate with Flint Innovative Solutions, a Flint-based non-profit organization focused on strategically enriching the well-being of the residents of Genesee County and boosting access to community resources.

This new grant supplements MDARD’s ongoing efforts to address gaps in local food systems and support those who want to feed their communities, whether they’re well-established family farms or people who want to work in the industry and are just starting out.

• In September, MDARD’s Farm to Family Program announced new grants to support local food production, 93 percent of which went to first-generation farmers.
• MDARD is working with partners through the Good Food for Michigan Project to help community institutions like Bendle Public Schools, Dearborn Public Schools, the Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency and Corewell Health to get more fresh, Michigan-grown foods to students, seniors and hospital patients.

MDARD is also strengthening support for new and beginning farmers through its Regenerative Agriculture Program. Among other measures, this innovative program has helped local conservation districts provide education and resources to farmers through regenerative agriculture education and outreach grants, by funding Regenerative Farmer Networks that provide peer-to-peer mentorship and resources for farmers and through a partnership with the VFW National Home to train veterans at a regenerative agriculture demonstration farm.

Learn more about MDARD grants and how MDARD is strengthening food systems in Michigan.

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