About Us
The Kent County Food Policy Council brings together residents, organizations, agencies, and businesses to advocate for and promote a good food system in Kent County, Michigan. The council formed in 2021.
We envision a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Kent County residents through a food system rooted in local communities and centered on good food – food that is accessible, equitable, fair, healthy, diverse, and sustainable.
What we do
& Why we do it
Kent County Food Policy Council exists to advocate for and promote a local, good food system.
Why?
Our food system is predominantly characterized by disconnection and inequity.
Some examples of this include lack of healthy food access, excessive foodwaste, soil erosion, loss of farmland, few opportunitiesfor BIPOC farmers and producers, fragile food chains, individuals lack connection to parts of the food system, and more.
A good food system is:
- Accessible
- Healthy
- Equitable
- Diverse
- Fair
- Sustainable
Kent County Food Policy Council has representatives from:
- Health
- Government
- Agriculture
- Business
- Education
- Non-profits
- Community residents
Actions and Strategies
Connecting
- Coordinate meetings & work groups
- Build relationships with decision makers and food system leaders
Data and Understanding
- Collect, share, or create articles, briefs, reports
Action and Advocacy
- Inform & influence public processes
- Call for policy change in institutions and government
Community Learning
- Hold events
- Share data and research with partners & community
Connecting
- Coordinate meetings & work groups
- Build relationships with decision makers and food system leaders
Data and Understanding
- Collect, share, or create articles, briefs, reports
Action and Advocacy
- Inform & influence public processes
- Call for policy change in institutions and government
Community Learning
- Hold events
- Share data and research with partners & community
The Outcomes
- Increased options for food recovery
- Development of local food markets in underserved areas
- Increased opportunities for local growing
- Increased number of Kent County schools growing food or purchasing local food
- Increased inclusion of nutrition education as part of school curriculum
- Development of a county-wide Food System Plan
- Improved conditions for farm workers
- Incentives for farmland preservation
- Living wage
Our vision is for everyone in Kent County to enjoy a thriving good food system. Want to help?
Council
Members
The Kent County Food Policy Council is made up of eighteen council seats with two members each from agriculture, business, education, government, health, and non-profit sectors, five community/at large seats, and the Essential Needs Task Force Director (ex-officio).
Member terms are two years, with the possibility of up to three consecutive terms. Currently there are no council position openings. Please sign up for the newsletter to be notified about future nomination periods or consider becoming involved in our workgroups which are open to the public.
Miles Wood
Agricultural Representative
Miles joined the council because racism, land access, capital, and knowledge are some of the main barriers beginning farmers are currently facing across the country, especially in Grand Rapids. In a USDA Grant Funded study conducted by Katie Brandt at Michigan State University, Grand Rapids had the highest amount of barriers and the worst land access out of any other major city in Michigan. I intend to be breaking down these barriers in order to create more equitable and just food systems in Kent County. We need policy changes.
“There is no culture without agriculture” - Elder Tarik Oduno
His favorite foods are Indian food or Ethiopian food
Crystal Scott-Tunstall
Professor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Grand Valley State University, Education and Agriculture Representative
Read Crystal's Bio
Crystal Scott-Tunstall
Professor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Grand Valley State University, Education and Agriculture Representative
When it comes to the change needed in our food system, Crystal would like to see more diversity in leadership. She says, "Representation is key to building awareness around food issues."
Her favorite food is tacos.
Katelyn Kikstra
Resource Recovery Specialist with ReimagineTrash - Kent County MI Dept. Public Works, Government Representative
Read Katelyn's Bio
Katelyn Kikstra
Resource Recovery Specialist with ReimagineTrash - Kent County MI Dept. Public Works, Government Representative
She loves to grow, bake, cook, preserve, and eat all sorts of foods. "My love of all things food started when I was a youngster helping my parents and grandparents with our big garden and has continued throughout my life as I’ve tried new foods and grown my own garden," she says. "I look forward to joining our community in celebrating, growing, embracing, and eating all foods with the Kent County Food Policy Council."
Her list of favorite foods include: baked brie with raspberry jam, warm and earthy chili on a cold day, mushroom melts on fresh bread, homemade salsa, and fall harvest salad.
Eric Freeman
Founder and President of Mindset Meals, Community Representative
Eric joined the Kent County Food Policy Council because it advocates for and promotes a local, good food system and to learn from other brilliant folks/institutions and add value to our community.
His favorite food includes Caribbean and Soul Food.
Statement on Racial Justice in the Food System
The Kent County Food Policy Council acknowledges that our food and farming system is built and maintained on a foundation of oppression and systemic racism toward Indigenous peoples, Black people, people of color, and immigrants. We also acknowledge that race intersects with other marginalized identities, such as gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, ability, class, and age, with a greater impact on those that hold more than one of these identities. A food and farming system that is not just, equitable, and inclusive is not sustainable, and in order to create the food and farming system that the world needs, it is imperative that we dismantle oppression and work towards racial equity.