< back to News homepage

Michigan Food Policy Council releases report of recommendations to Governor

Oct. 12, 2006 - The Michigan Food Policy Council has released its report of recommendations to Governor Jennifer Granholm with plans improve Michigan’s food systems.

The report's 20 recommendations cover all aspects of the state's food system from field to fork, including growing the agri-food economy, accessing fresh and healthy foods, promoting Michigan foods and cultivating agricultural viability.

Established by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm in June 2005, the Michigan Food Policy Council (MFPC) has brought diverse food-related stakeholders together to recommend programs and policies that build on the state’s agricultural diversity to enhance economic growth while cultivating a safe, healthy and available food supply for all of Michigan’s residents.

The twenty-one governor-appointed council members include public health, education, agriculture, urban and rural development, and food processing representatives, among others, as well as the directors of six state departments.

Recent studies indicate the agri-food system’s economic impact is $60.1 billion annually and growing. As the second largest industry in the state, the agri-food sector also employs over one million Michigan residents. It is essential that the state optimize the complex agri-food economy while reaping the greatest quality-of-life benefits for residents. No one state department comprehensively supports or governs all of the agri-food system’s facets, which include production, processing, distribution, marketing, access and consumption. To fill this gap, the Michigan Food Policy Council provides a forum in which to address issues across the agri-food system.

The MFPC is charged with recommending policies that address economic activity and jobs, access to fresh and healthy Michigan-grown foods, enhanced viability of family farms and increased collaborations and connections between federal, state and local resources.

The full report is available at www.michigan.gov/mfpc.

Click here to read about Elaine Brown, MIFFS executive director, being appointed to the MFPC.