Food System Economic Partnership

Restaurants and the chefs that work within them are in many ways the commissioned artists of our food consumption culture. They design, prepare and serve delicious foods to the public,  inspire people to eat well and provide the setting for socialable experiences with family and friends. As people are eating out more and more these days, restaurants have an increasing impact on demand and quality of food products in our region.

Preliminary Vision

• Have a working relationship directly and indirectly with family farms and agricultural entities of the region
• Value and meaning are added to the customer’s culinary experience by communicating the food products unique attributes, i.e. “from Jones’ local family farm, pasture-raised on the rolling hills of Huron Valley.”
• Local sustainable foods are more accessible to people, resulting in healthier communities and customers and adding economic and social value to the urban and rural fabric of Southeast Michigan.

Current Activities

• Chefs have begun to work through our network of growers to procure locally grown and produced foods.
• Restaurant managers are participating in the FSEP strategic planning sessions.
• Check out restaurant study report (exec summary, full report) to learn how local chefs are seeking out and connecting with local farmers and fresh local foods!

Who's Involved

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

• the Henry Ford (Museum and Greenfield Village)
• Zingerman's Community of Businesses

*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 chefs and/or restaurant owners to the growing farmer-chef network
• Share success stories