A Vision for Michigan’s Food Systems

Michigan has a thriving food economy distinguished by equity, health, and sustainability.

To achieve this vision, we need systemic change. Michigan food systems should:

ensure food is accessible to everyone,
promote healthy communities,
use fair and sustainable production methods, and
support a diverse and equitable society.

Want to stay informed about the Michigan Good Food Charter? Sign up to receive communications in your inbox.

It's simple to join the Michigan Good Food Charter Council and sign the resolution of support as an individual or organization. There are three levels of Charter Council membership so everyone can find a level of support that suits their goals and needs. If you support the vision and initiatives of the Charter and would like to stay informed you can join as a Supporter. To implement the charter vision within your community, signing up as a Local Leader may be the right choice. Consider signing up as a Committee Member of one of the three Michigan Good Food Charter Committees If you are looking for ways to get more involved at the statewide level. Charter Committees support the implementation of Charter activities through coalition-building and coordinated policy action efforts.

Join the Charter Council

Our Goals

To address the complex challenges of the food system, we have identified six interconnected goals describing the results we want to see in our communities.

Food Access to Food Sovereignty: Everyone has the resources to access and afford healthy, culturally relevant food where they live, work, learn, and play and the ability to shape the food systems that impact them.
Farm and Food Business Viability: The food system supports a dynamic mix of local, regional, national, and global food sources that offer opportunities for small-scale and marginalized Michigan farm and food businesses to thrive.
Health Equity: The food system supports opportunities for everyone to be as healthy as possible, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.
Fair Wages and Economic Opportunity: People who plant, harvest, process, pack, transport, prepare, serve, and sell food have access to living wages, benefits, safe work environments, and pathways for career advancement and leadership.
Sustainable Ecosystems: The food system protects air, water, and soil now and for future generations.
Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience: Communities are resilient in the face of climate change and the food system actively mitigates its impact on the climate.

How can we use the Charter?

The Michigan Good Food Charter is a tool for collaborative communication, advocacy, and evaluation. We can use it to:

Explore ideas that advance a good food system in Michigan
Identify common ground for collaboration within and across sectors
Build action coalitions around food systems policy change
Inform policymakers of statewide and local priorities
Organize shared measurement for greater impacts

Additional resources

Charter Events

Apr 29

Beginning Farmers "Train the Trainer" Workshop April

April 29, 2025 9:00AM – 1:00PM Boardman River Nature Center and Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685

This workshop is designed for educators working with beginning farmers.
May 7

2025 Making It In Michigan Conference

May 7, 2025 8:30AM – 11:00AM Lansing Center, 333 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933

Join the MSU Product Center for Michigan's premier food business networking conference on May 7, 2025, at the Lansing Center.
May 7

2025 Making It In Michigan Trade Show

May 7, 2025 11:00AM – 3:30PM Lansing Center, 333 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933

Join the MSU Product Center for Michigan's premier food business trade show on May 7, 2025, at the Lansing Center.
Jun 17

Beginning Farmers "Train the Trainer" Workshop June

June 17, 2025 1:00PM – 5:00PM MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, South Farm conference Room, E3774 University Dr. Chatham, MI 49816

This workshop is designed for educators working with beginning farmers.

In the News

Calling all Michigan CSA farmers: We want to hear from you!

Published on March 24, 2025
If you sell food through a subscription model, we hope you'll consider taking the Michigan CSA Survey.
Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show returned to in-person format for 2023

Published on April 21, 2023
MSU Product Center hosted the 14th annual conference on April 20, 2023, at the Lansing Center.
Meet the New CRFS Director, Dr. M. Jahi Chappell

Published on November 29, 2022
Check out this Q&A with the new director of the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, Dr. M. Jahi Chappell.