MDARD Celebrates Transformative Outcomes from First Farm to Family Grant Program

State's food hub, farm stop grants generate nearly fivefold surge in local food sales, strengthening Michigan's local food economy

LANSING, Mich.— Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced outstanding first-year results from its 2025 Food Hub and Farm Stop Grant Program, which was the first investment made by the agency's innovative Farm to Family Program last summer.

With a $730,000 investment, the program significantly expanded market opportunities for Michigan farmers, strengthened local food value chains and increased access to fresh, Michigan-grown products for families across the state.

"A thriving Michigan starts with resilient local food networks that nourish our communities and support the people who power them,"  said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "MDARD's Farm to Family program is a shift toward a healthier, more connected future where families have better access to nutritious, Michigan-grown foods. This grant opportunity is fostering economic growth and supporting our hardworking farmers by giving them the support they need to succeed. Let's keep strengthening our community food systems and building a state where quality of life and opportunity go hand in hand."

Details about the recipients of the Food Hub and Farm Stop Grant Program are available on the Farm to Family website. Awardees were asked to provide impact reports summarizing what was accomplished in the year since the investments were announced. After combining all the data, key statistics include:

• Nearly half a million pounds of Michigan-produced food reached more families across the state because of the grants.

• The grant activity supported nearly $3.4 million in local food sales, with more than $2.5 million returning directly to Michigan farmers demonstrating the program's strong focus on farmer income and economic resilience.

• Food hub and farm stop value chains added new engagement from 152 Michigan farmers and producers because of the grants.

• The investments helped food hubs serve over 17,000 more Michigan families, increasing access to nutritious, locally produced foods.

• Grantees helped establish 222 new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) memberships across the state, reaffirming growing consumer demand for local, healthy food.

"These results make clear that even a modest, targeted investment can transform Michigan s local food economy, which has been the goal all along for our Farm to Family Program,"  said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "The impact metrics from the recipients prove these grants didn t just expand markets they created new opportunities for farmers, strengthened regional food systems and helped thousands of families access fresh, Michigan-grown food. The momentum we're seeing is extraordinary, and we're just getting started."

Each individual grant did not exceed $50,000. Other takeaways are available through the grant webpage.

Recipient Feedback

"Coveyou Scenic Farm sought to increase storage capacity to offer more local foods, organic produce and artisan products as part of our commitment to a stronger, healthier Northern Michigan community,"  said Coveyou Owner David Coveyou. "The Farm Stop grant made this possible. Since expanding our storage and product offerings, we ve seen customers buy more items per visit and more producers selling both frozen goods and other products through our market. These additions have strengthened our farm, supported our producers, and better served our customers and we look forward to continued growth."

"This MDARD grant helped us address food insecurity for children and families in rural Muskegon County by enabling local producers to supply and distribute food through our Summer Non-Congregate Feeding Program and other channels,"  said Clarence Rudat, who manages MSU Extension's Food, Agriculture, Research and Manufacturing Accelerator & Food Hub owned by the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. "The grant also strengthened community partnerships, supported infrastructure to move 600 food boxes to students each semester through the Jayhawk food pantry, and allowed us to work with a buyer to improve procurement and shipping to the food hub. We are working together as a community to feed our community and it feels incredible."

"The Michigan Farm to Family Food Hub Grant allowed Flint Fresh to build on existing knowledge and infrastructure to invest in equipment and supplies that will resolve unique delivery, procurement and processing issues we've faced in the past,"  said Flint Fresh Executive Director Brian Schorr. "This has allowed us to increase on-farm pick-ups, especially for smaller farmers, and increase our customer base, including new school food service clients, wholesaler buyers and online customers."

"Farm to Family's Farm Stop Grant helped Eaton Meat expand access to local food in the Charlotte community by investing in new refrigeration equipment for our downtown storefront,"  said Eaton Meat Owner Ryan Garn. "This enhancement allows us to offer a wider variety of fresh, locally produced items something community members have consistently expressed a strong desire for. Through this project, we've also been able to support more than 15 Michigan farmers, allowing our farm stop to play a vital role in addressing food gaps and building a more resilient, connected community."

Background on MDARD's Farm to Family Program

First proposed by Gov. Whitmer in her Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget Recommendation, Farm to Family is focused on furthering economic prosperity across Michigan, maintaining and expanding diversity of the state's agricultural production, and supporting climate smart and regenerative agriculture value chains with intentional investments that improve quality of life for all Michiganders. 

Since the Food Hub and Farm Stop Grant Program was announced last year, Farm to Family launched and awarded two other grant programs. The Last Food Mile grants met demand for infrastructure and transportation assistance, while Regenerative Agriculture Value Chain grants increased market opportunities for farmers who are just starting out. 

The program has also announced a partnership with the Michigan Farmers Markets Association, Farmers to Markets, to help local growers boost sales at farmers markets.

Plus, the Farm to Family Program is working to localize institutional procurement through its Good Food for Michigan Project. So far, the project is supporting 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.   

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