The W.K.Kellogg Foundation has awarded a $2.5 million grant to the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University to support implementation of the Michigan Good Food Charter.
The charter is an evidence-based plan for making it as easy to get food from Michigan's rural and urban farms as from the global marketplace. The charter aims to enable Michigan citizens to grow, sell and eat food that is healthy and affordable, while also being produced in a green and sustainable manner that is fair and results in no exploitation along the lines of production.The Kellogg Foundation grant will fund years one through three of a ten-year initiative to achieve the charter's vision and goals.
Dr. Michael W. Hamm, the C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture, and his C.S. Mott Group are spearheading this ambitious initiative. Over recent years, the C.S.Mott Group has assembled an extensive network of stakeholders–groups, organizations, individuals–across the state, many of whom participated in creating the charter and others who have endorsed the charter.
"Because of the Kellogg Foundation's grant, we are able to engage fully in implementing the charter," said Hamm. “Through the Center for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, we are launching a variety of efforts in areas ranging from food production through getting healthy food to families and children."
Five operational teams within the Center are working in the areas of Market Development; Farmer and Farm Development; Food System Infrastructure Development; Youth Engagement and Community Building; and Good Food Access, Public Health and Consumer Food Education. “Their objective is to catalyze the creation of ‘Communities of Practice for Healthy Living’ to help Michigan communities provide a sound framework for accessing good food and having it on the plates of vulnerable children,” said Hamm.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 “to help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations.” According to Hamm, the Kellogg Foundation is the nation’s leader in advancing sustainable food efforts. To read the Michigan Good Food Charter and to learn more about the C.S. Mott Group and its efforts for healthy families and sustainable food, go to mottgroup.msu.edu.