Center for Regional Food Systems

The C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (now CRFS) at Michigan State University collaborated with the North Central Region for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Grant Program on the Community Food Systems Project, which consisted of partnering with thirteen Michigan communities over a two-year period to determine and fortify successful measures that would assist in lessening the distance between food production and food consumption.  Local efforts across Michigan are enabling communities to reshape our understanding of food systems to include and promote health, access, and local economic value.

Executive Summary

Throughout Michigan, local groups are broadening the scope of our food system to include health, access, and local economic value. And why not? With Michigan ranked second in the country for diversity of agriculture product, these community groups are connecting food consumers with food growers such that they spur economic vitality of local farmers, create access to healthy foods in some of Michigan’s underserved, densely populated communities, and link food with overall community revitalization.

In actualizing its mission of “supporting a healthy future where sustainable Michigan farms feed Michigan people and Michigan people support these farms”, the CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University (Mott Group) partners with community groups, policy makers, researchers, growers and consumers to innovate and catalyze a food system that demonstrates access equity, health promotion, and sustainable practices with local vibrancy. As one of its first statewide learning demonstrations, the Community Food Systems Project, funded at $75,000 over a two-year period through the North Central Regional Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program (NCR SARE PDP), enabled the Mott Group to partner with thirteen Michigan communities to stimulate and support community approaches to lessening the distance between food production and food consumption. This report shares the process, outcomes, and implications for investing in this broadening scope of our food system.