Researching the network that supports the goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter

As work towards the goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter proceeds, it is increasingly apparent that the most effective work involves collaboration and network building.

The Michigan Good Food Charter information table at the 2014 Good Food Summit in Lansing.

By Jenny Lawlor, Graduate Student Researcher, Michigan State University

As work towards the goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter proceeds, it is increasingly apparent that the most effective work involves collaboration and network building and that due to the complexity of the work, no single organization can address every goal on their own.

Networks among Good Food Charter signatories represent an important part of leveraging collective efforts for change in Michigan’s food system. In order to better understand how networks are currently operating around the Michigan Good Food Charter’s goals, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) recently launched a survey of all of Michigan Good Food Charter Resolution of Support organizational signatories. Organizational signatories are organizations that have signed the resolution of support for the Michigan Good Food Charter declaring that their organization supports the goals. These signatories might include businesses, educational entities, farms, farmers markets, economic development agencies, foundations, non-profit organizations, hospitals or public health groups, and state or local government bodies.

The Good Food Charter network survey employs social network analysis, a process of mapping out relationships among actors to better understand patterns through which information and resources flow. CRFS is already very excited about the number of responses that have been received and we invite organizational signatories that have not yet taken the survey to fill it out here.

This voluntary survey will only be open for a short time and if you are able, we encourage you to participate as soon as possible. It will take about 10 minutes of your time and your responses will be kept confidential. There is no compensation for participating, but responses will play a key role in informing future Good Food efforts in Michigan. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Zachary Neal (zpneal@msu.edu) for more information. 

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