Food System Economic Partnership

The FSEP Region is comprised of five counties in southeast Michigan.  Specifically we serve: Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.

Goals for Region

• Improve the viability of the agricultural sector in the region by identifying consumer demand and helping farm and food system businesses and entrepreneurs convert that demand into new ventures.
• processing facilities,
• marketing campaigns,
• value-chain partnerships, and
• new infrastructure.
• Provide revitalization opportunities for urban areas in the region through:
•  business development and job creation,
• increased demand for the re-use and redevelopment of existing buildings for use as processing or distribution facilities, and
• reduced chronic unemployment.
• Create wealth for the region as an array of diverse new businesses and economic development ventures are launched and revenue growth is strategically and aggressively reinvested by project partners into additional ventures and infrastructure.
• Improve consumer understanding of the foods produced, processed and marketed in the region and
• Improve producer understanding of consumer needs.
• Improve land use policy and decision-making over the long-term by translating demand side knowledge of the food system into economic opportunities. Development and support of policies, programs and projects that preserve the integrity/viability of the regional landscape.

FSEP Region