We
are pleased to announce the 2014 Local Food Victories!
1. The Ypsilanti
Local Food Ordinance - The ordinance began
its path to victory through participatory planning and mobilizing community
voices to identify priorities around food systems. The result was the drafting
and passage of a number of exciting food ordinances that legalized food growing
on vacant land and front yards, introduced zoning changes that help brewers and
distillers operate more freely, and will hopefully get hoophouses approved,
too. Accepting: Amanda Edmonds.
2. Fair
Food Network - The FFN succeeded
in getting its Double Up Food Bucks Program model inserted into federal
legislation. This innovative program gives funding to farmers’ markets across
the state so that they can double the purchasing power for customers using
federal food assistance dollars. It was so successful that Congress included
fruit and vegetable incentive programs in our new farm bill, ensuring equal
access by all to fresh, nutritious produce. Accepting: Rachel
Chadderdon-Bair.
3. Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development -OCED executed a study, by leading local economist Michael Shuman, of the economic impact of shifting 20% of Washtenaw County's food system to local products (with detailed analysis on doing so just in Eastern Washtenaw County). They also worked towards drafting a local procurement policy for the county, which is a great policy change to support local vendors- including local food! Accepting: Tony VanDerworp.
4. Dexter
Community Schools -
Dexter Schools are among a growing number of
schools across the country working to bring in more fresh, locally-sourced
foods, and foster students’ connection to where their food comes from. They
have been experimenting with a wildly delicious Farm to School program, school
gardens, cooking classes, school food trade shows, and partnerships with local
chefs, such as Alex Young from Zingerman’s Roadhouse. These activities teach
kids the importance of eating healthy and connect students to their community’s
agricultural heritage, while supporting our local economy. Such efforts
represent multi-stakeholder partnerships between local non-profit
organizations, local businesses, school staff, teachers, administrators,
parents, community volunteers, and local farmers. Accepting: Caitlin Joseph.
5. UM
Sustainable Food Systems Initiative -
UMSFI was responsible for hiring a cluster of 4-5 new
faculty members working jointly, across disciplines, to research and teach
about food systems. This great effort has led to a flurry of excitement around
campus on this topic including renewed development of the Campus Farm, the UM
Sustainable Food Program and many other activities. Accepting: Ivette
Perfecto & Catherine Badgley.
6. Washtenaw Food Hub - The food hub will be having
its grand opening this year after restoring a 16 acre property and developing a
community of food and farm businesses, establishing 3 commercial processing
kitchens, and serving as the new home of its first tenant - The Brinery. The
Washtenaw Food Hub seeks to establish environmental, economic and individual
health as the standard for a sustainable food system in our area.
Accepting: Deb Lentz & Richard Andres.
7. Feral
Foods - This small,
permaculture Community Supported Farm has displayed their merits well by
getting off the ground and running, even through the difficult times of
overpowering seasonal weather. Each month, Feral Foods CSA brought people
together through a farm breakfast, where they raised money for various
non-profits within Washtenaw County. Accepting: Britt & Pat Keene
8. Nature
and Nurture Seeds + Ann Arbor Seed Company - These
companies have been working on seeds for many years and have launched seed
companies right here at home - “Nature and Nurture Seeds,” and the “Ann
Arbor Seed Company” - both Ann Arbor based seed companies offering
open-pollinated, sustainably grown, and public domain vegetable seeds. They
seek to be a catalyst for the preservation and innovation of food seed
biodiversity in the Great Lakes region, helping to build resilient, regionally
based, sustainable food systems that provide healthy food for all. They are
working to grow as many seeds locally as possible. Their model is one of
transparency, which is sorely lacking in the seed industry.
Accepting: Erica Kempter, Mike Levine & Eric Kampe.
9. Food Gatherers - This year,
Food Gatherers completed a warehouse expansion that has and will continue to
increase the quantity and quality of nutritious food available to people in
need in Washtenaw County. Since the implementation of Food Gatherer’s
Food Security Plan, at least 50% of food distribution efforts have been
perishable produce and protein items. In addition to nearly doubling their
overall food distribution capacity, the expansion created more than 150 pallet
spaces of cold and freezer storage (originally, just 32 pallet spaces), which
allows Food Gatherers to maintain their commitment to nutrition initiatives and
distribute even more produce and protein items. Accepting: Eileen Spring.
10. Local Food Hero - Jason Frenzel We
honor Jason this year as a local food hero for his unrelenting commitment to
advancing a fair, just, and sustainable local food system. He has contributed
thousands of hours over the years to support the local food movement and his
positive attitude, enterprising spirit, and leadership brings the local food
community closer together.
