Michigan Food Policy Council MISSION

1. Michigan Food Policy Council MISSION The Michigan Food Policy Council (MFPC) cultivates a safe, healthy and available food supply for all of Michigan’s residents while building on the state’s agricultural diversity to enhance economic growth. Michigan Commission on Agricluture September 16, 2009

2. Organization • Originally created in 2005, re-authorized by Executive Order 2007-44 • Council Chair: MDA Director or designee from MDA • Funded, in part, by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation through March 2010 • Additional funding approved by the State Administrative Board in June 2009 to implement the MFPC recommendations Michigan Food Policy Council

3. Purpose • Implement policies from the MFPC 2006 Report of Recommendations • Identify and address new food policy issues as they arise Michigan Food Policy Council

4. Anti-Hunger Public Health Food Systems Food Processing Agriculture Organizations (2) Rural Development Urban Development K-12 Schools Higher Education Council Members State Departments: MDA, DLEG, DMB, DOC, DCH, DHS, MDE, DEQ, MI Strategic Fund Non-food Manufacturing Labor Sustainable Agriculture (2) Restaurants 25 Council Members in E.O. 2007-44 Food Retailers

5. Growing the agri-food economy Agri-food entrepreneurship Support for food processing Information & collaboration opportunities to assist agri-food businesses Grocery Stores in Underserved Locations Cultivating Agricultural Viability Farmland Preservation New Market Development Michigan Agricultural Visibility & Ag-Tourism Farmers and Farm Workforce Role of MSU Extension Accessing fresh and healthy foods Healthy Food Access through Direct Markets Community and urban gardens Food Assistance Program Summer Food Service Program Nutrition Education Emergency Food Needs Promoting Michigan Foods Select Michigan Program Farm-to-School Dept. of Corrections & Buy Michigan First Support for Farmers Markets MFPC:Recommendations Michigan Food Policy Council

6. Progress in State Government State Procurement: Department of Corrections • Potato contract • Jackson-area MDOC sourced 118,608 lbs of Michigan products in 2008-2009 • Purchasing Michigan collard greens, cabbage, radishes, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, cilantro, dill, corn, navy beans, red beans, and black beans Michigan Food Policy Council

7. Progress in Our Schools Farm-to-School • Public Act 343 of 2008 • Public Act 344 of 2008 • Public Act 315 of 2008 • Potential farm-to-school opportunities: incentives for renovations/upgrades and challenges at federal level Picture from Gladwin County Record – August 4, 2009 Michigan Food Policy Council

8. Progress in Food Retail PA 231 of 2008 • An property tax incentive for grocery stores in underserved areas • Signed into law by Governor Granholm on July 15, 2008 • Aligns with concepts in the MFPC Report of Recommendations • MDA was named in the bill as the lead in determining underserved areas in Michigan that would qualify • Potential grocery industry opportunity: Food assistance distribution follow-up meeting with stakeholders this fall Michigan Food Policy Council

9. Progress in Farmers Markets Bridge Cards and Farmers Markets • Michigan is leading the way in accepting debit/credit and Bridge Cards at farmers markets • Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), in partnership with MFPC, conducted a pilot project to help markets set up electronic payment systems • Building a network and partnership • Potential farmers market opportunity: Farmers Market Promotion Program response for a Fall 2009 – December 2010 Grant Michigan Food Policy Council

10. Special Projects • MI Neighborhood Food Movers • Collaborative effort by the State Of Michigan in response to Detroit’s underserved areas • Project Leader: Kim Trent, Governor’s Office for Southeast Michigan • MFPC is part of the “Core Team” along with MDA Michigan Food Policy Council

11. Growing the agri-food economy Agri-food entrepreneurship & information/collaboration opportunities to assist agri-food businesses - Model of regional agri-food economic collaboration -Online resource specific to agri-food businesses that would address issues or needs across business scale Cultivating Agricultural Viability Michigan Agricultural Visibility & Ag-Tourism -Model zoning from Agriculture Tourism Advisory Commission -Support ag tourism legislation Accessing fresh and healthy foods Community and urban gardens -Model zoning -State designation for cities following existing food access assessment Food Assistance Program -State outreach plan Promoting Michigan Foods Farm-to-School -Incentives for renovation or upgrades -Federal barriers -Consideration of Farm-to-School in state grant programs Dept. of Corrections & Buy Michigan First -Strengthen distribution or increase/expand processing capacity MFPC:Action Plans Michigan Food Policy Council

12. MFPC Promotion & Recognition States looking to Michigan as an example: New York Ohio Virginia North American Gathering of State and Local Food Policy Councils – October 10, 2009 Michigan Food Policy Council

13. More information and copies of the report at: www.michigan.gov/mfpc Contact Information: Kirsten G. Simmons, Executive Director ph: (517) 335-4184 cell: (517) 243-3987 email: simmonsk@michigan.gov Michigan Food Policy Council