Goal 2
Invest in a thriving local food economy
There are many benefits to a thriving local food economy: Farms and local food businesses provide meaningful employment, boost income through wages, increase economic activity by buying from other local businesses, and build the local tax base that supports infrastructure and services.
Key findings from the Kent County Food System Assessment highlight the leadership role that Kent County businesses play in the food system. Agriculture is a major contributor to the local economy and shapes the urban/rural relationships within the county. Kent County is home to the headquarters of three major grocery chains: Meijer, Gordon Foods, and Spartan Nash. The food manufacturing and processing sector in Kent County employs 6,215 individuals at 94 locations in the county.
3Kent County Food System Assessment
Objective 1:
Support agricultural producers to increase the supply of locally grown foods
Objective 2:
Support markets and build demand for locally grown foods
Objective 3:
Assist food system entrepreneurs to grow and sustain their businesses
Objective 4:
Develop supports for food and farm workers and build the career pipeline for these jobs
Kent County Food Policy Council's Next Steps
Moving the plan forward
Partnership Engagement:
The Council will convene stakeholders to prioritize and work together on recommendations and identify relevant funding
Coordination of Action Items:
The Council will coordinate, track and delegate actions with community partners and members to ensure effective execution.
Progress Assessment:
Regular evaluation will assess and track the success of the plan.
Community Engagement:
The Council engage our community to present findings, gather community input and communicate about progress made
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