Michigan Good Food Charter

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

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In the News

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems awarded grant to strengthen local food partnerships in Battle Creek and the Upper Peninsula

Published on October 23, 2020
A new project will connect food and farm business owners with networks and partners that can help them prosper.
Essential food businesses: Supporting entrepreneurs during the pandemic

Published on September 30, 2020
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and the MSU Product Center are helping food business entrepreneurs acquire skills and financing to succeed during the pandemic.
Malamiah Juice Bar gets creative, stands in solidarity with community of Black-owned businesses during pandemic

Published on July 8, 2020
Food business owners like Jermale Eddie have been nimbly adapting to the rapidly changing business landscape since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.