Center for Regional Food Systems

Briefs & Fact Sheets

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  Valuing Michigan's Local Food System

  Published on May 21, 2014
  This analysis examines the value of Michigan's agricultural food products from the farm through processing, retailing, and to the consumer.

• Farm to School in Michigan: Still Going Strong

  Published on March 14, 2014
  This brief outlines motivators and barriers to local food purchasing in schools, and details top food items in which schools are interested.

• Perennial Wheat

  Published on February 3, 2014
  This Michigan State Universtiy Extension bulletin explains the perennial wheat's progress as well as the developmental challenges and other experiences in the field.

• Local Government Support for Food Systems: Themes and Opportunities from National Data

  Published on September 20, 2013
  This brief provides a snapshot of a comprehensive national survey on local governments’ food-related activities and a conversation of survey results that included opportunities discussed and potential next steps.

• Key Findings from the 2013 National Food Hub Survey

  Published on September 17, 2013
  This document contains the major findings of the 2013 National Food Hub Survey.

• Economic Impacts of Local and Regional Food Systems: Response to Questions from May 20, 2013 Webinar

  Published on August 5, 2013
  This brief provides responses to unanswered questions from a webinar on the economic impact of local food.

• Zoning Lessons Learned Regarding Food Hubs

  Published on June 5, 2013
  The following “lessons” are based on several zoning discussions that ensued when starting food hubs in Battle Creek and Washtenaw County.

• Economic Analysis of Local and Regional Food Systems: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

  Published on May 15, 2013
  This brief provides a summary of the discussion that took place among economists and local food researchers at a meeting in early 2013.

• Michigan Institutions Expand Local Food Purchasing

  Published on April 23, 2013
  Surveys conducted by CRFS in 2012 show growing participation and interest in local food purchasing by both institutions and farmers.

• Farm to Institution: A Summary of Research on Local Food Purchasing by Institutions

  Published on April 9, 2013
  This document summarizes the results of several CRFS surveys on interest in local food purchasing by a variety of institutions in Michigan, as well as farmers' interest in selling to such markets.

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  2012 Local Government Survey Highlights

  Published on March 20, 2013
  Survey results provide insight into the ways and lenses through which local governments engage in food systems, which may be of interest to good food advocates seeking municipal or county support for their efforts.

• Farm to School in Early Childcare in Michigan: Opportunity for Local Food Access and Awareness

  Published on February 1, 2013
  This survey summarizes Michigan early childcare and education programs' interest in increasing good food access and awareness through Farm to School initiatives, from a 2012 survey of such programs.

• Farm to Institution Marketing: 2012 Survey Shows Interest from Michigan Vegetable Farmers

  Published on February 1, 2013
  CRFS surveyed Michigan vegetable farmers about their interest in and willingness to sell their products to institutional markets and motivators and barriers associated with this type of marketing.

• Local Food Interest by Institutions in Southeast Michigan

  Published on February 1, 2013
  This summary of a 2012 survey details interest in local food purchasing by institutions in southeast Michigan.

• Farm to School in Michigan: 2012 Survey Shows Interest in Purchasing Local Foods Continues to Grow

  Published on February 1, 2013
  A recent survey by CRFS shows that Farm to School efforts continue to expand in Michigan; this summary details those results.

• Sustainable Food Systems Roundtable Synopsis

  Published on April 27, 2011
  Staff and member representatives from 8 national organizations representing local and regional government stakeholders convened for a roundtable discussion on local and regional food systems.

• Building Soil for Organic and Sustainable Farms: Where to Start?

  Published on January 3, 2011
  To aid in the understanding of proper soil management, an Extension bulletin was developed to explain what soil health is and to provide guidelines to build soil health and monitor its progress.

• Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses

  Published on June 15, 2010
  Farmers can use this information to develop a business plan for hoophouse production.

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  Agenda Priorities at a Glance

  Published on June 1, 2010
  What are the priorities of the 2010 Michigan Good Food Charter? This guide offers a quick look at the agenda for the road to 20% by 2020.

• Farm to School in Michigan: Growing Interest & Greater Participation

  Published on May 2, 2010
  This survey shows that Michigan K-12 School Food Service Directors (FSDs) were “ready and willing to make linkages to Michigan agriculture," and have been acting on this interest since 2004.