Food System Economic Partnership

Schools, hospitals, food service and catering companies and other institutions that market and prepare food for people play an important role in delivering high quality and nutritious food for children and adults in their communities. Institutions are a key sector in the regional food system and account for approximately 50% of the demand for food products in the region (estimation from national average, source: Technomic 2004).

Preliminary Vision

• Serve fresh, environmentally sound products purchased through local distribution systems.
• Have a working relationship directly and indirectly with family farms and agricultural entities of the region.
• Local sustainable foods are more accessible to the public, resulting in healthier communities and customers and adding economic and social value to the urban and rural fabric of Southeast Michigan.

Current Activities

• a preliminary survey of six institutions in the Ann Arbor area was conducted by FSEP partners and indicated an unmet demand in those institutions alone for more than $200,000 of locally grown products.
• FSEP is currently developing a proposal for a pilot "farm-to-school" program to explore the potential of schools to increase the amount of fresh and locally grown foods served in local schools. 
• Food service institutions are participating in the FSEP strategic planning sessions.

Who's Involved

To date the following groups all have representatives on the FSEP leadership team: *

• the Henry Ford (Museum and Greenfield Village)
• Michigan State University
• University of Michigan

*Participating county and local government officials from Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne also play an important role in representing and supporting the interests of local food distributors.

How You Can Get Involved

Contact Jennifer Fike to:

• Join the Partnership
• Participate in Forums
• Contribute Funding
• Contribute with In-kind Services

Once Involved You Can

• Help raise awareness
• Help recruit other institutions with food service or catering departments
• Share success stories