About
About the Michigan Local Food Council Network
The Michigan Local Food Council Network (MLFCN) brings together food councils to build their individual and collective capacities to work on food and food policy issues, operate effectively, and engage their communities, through peer-to-peer learning.
MLFCN's Role in Building Food Council Capacities
The main roles of the Network are to:
- Provide a space for local councils to network with one another
- Assist local councils in building capacity for local & regional food system development
- Provide hands-on training to local food councils
- Connect local policy information, issues, and actions to other parts of the state
- Connect local councils to statewide policy information, issues, and actions
- Connect local councils to national policy information, issues, and actions
For MLFCN, a local food council is a group convening around a defined geographic area to assess and recommend practices or policies that affect one or more aspects of the food system. All Michigan local food councils, or those interested in starting a local food council, are invited to participate in the statewide network.
CRFS sponsors MLFCN, with coordination by Keesa Johnson, Food Systems Strategy Design Specialist; Liz Gensler, Local Food Council Specialist; Jordan Lindsay, Grassroots Organizing Specialist; and Kolia Souza, Food Systems Equity & Advocacy Specialist.
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Michigan Local Food Councils Map
Published on May 1, 2024
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What will it take to advance good food in Michigan? We want to hear from you!
Published on February 24, 2020
We need your help to ensure the updated Michigan Good Food Charter provides a robust foundation for the road ahead. -
Announcing a new report on Michigan’s food councils - what do they look like and what are they doing?
Published on August 12, 2019
Data is now available from a survey of Michigan’s local food councils. -
Michigan Local Food Council Network Seed Grant Program - Request for Proposals Summer 2019
Published on June 4, 2019
Are you looking for funding for your local food council? The Michigan Local Food Council Network is offering grants to Michigan food councils who want to build capacity and develop peer-to-peer connections. -
Michigan Local Food Council Network Seed Grant Program Request for Proposals
Published on April 17, 2018
Existing and developing Michigan local food or food policy councils are eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000, or $6,000 with matching funds. -
Seed Grants up to $6k Awarded to Six Michigan Local Food Councils
Published on August 7, 2017
The Michigan Local Food Council Network has awarded seed grants to six local food councils across Michigan. This is the second round of seed grants funded by the Network in 2017. -
Michigan Local Food Council Network Awards Seed Grants to Six Michigan Councils
Published on January 12, 2017
Six Michigan local food councils will receive seed grants from the Michigan Local Food Council Network. These grants will help new and existing food councils and food policy councils build their capacity and accomplish their goals. -
Cultivating Collective Action: The Ecology of a Statewide Food Network
Published on November 24, 2015
The Center for Regional Food Systems was highlighted in a report published in November 2015 by the University of Minnesota.