Access of West Michigan

‘When we gain knowledge, we gain empathy’ Kenowa Hills district and building leaders participated in a poverty simulation designed to educate and teach empathy.

Gain empathy and understanding through our Poverty Education Workshops, where an immersive experience leads to a renewed perspective. 🌟 Join us in breaking down barriers and building a more compassionate community.

🌿 Gratia Lee (Good Food Systems Director) and fellow food systems enthusiasts from Grand Rapids recently visited St. Paul, MN, through Invest Health.
🌿 Invest Health is funded by the Reinvestment Fund and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and brings together leaders from mid-sized cities across the U.S. to look at ways to improve health and well-being in our communities that need it most.
🌿 They connected with Urban Roots, learning about youth programs in market gardening, cooking, and conservation, and explored Fairview Health's community engagement through food as medicine.

Inspired by the experience, we're excited to host them in Grand Rapids this September!

At Access, we prioritize learning and growing together as we navigate through equity-based conversations. Swipe through the below slides to learn a little more about the book we just completed reading as a team! If you’d like to purchase a copy of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome, we recommend We Are Lit- a local black-owned independent bookstore.

A couple of weeks ago our anti-racism, anti-oppression cohort travelled to Muskegon to see what's happening there related to food systems!

🌿 Andrea Copeland of Lakeshore Flavor hosted the group and took them around the area to see different organizations working at building equity in the food system
🌿 This photo of the group was taken at the FARM (Food, Agriculture, Research and Manufacturing), a food incubator site located at Muskegon Community College and run by MSU Extension

Didn't get to join the Walk for Good Food from May 5-15? No problem! We're still working towards our goal until June 30th. Remember that the funds from the WFGF support Access and seven other local non-profits looking to address poverty and food insecurity for all.

Click here to contribute now: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan/access-walk-for-good-food-2024

Come enjoy the Local Spins event and support Access!

Local Spins Fest Local Spins Fest returns for the third year to Studio Park to kick off the summer festival season -- and this time, it’s all about emerging Michigan stars and spotlighting you...

A big thank you to everyone who participated in and volunteered at our Walk for Good Food kick off on Sunday! We are walking through May 15th to continue raising money in support of creating a good food system for all.

Click here to share your support: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan/access-walk-for-good-food-2024

If you’re walking from home, share your photos to social media and tag them with or send them to [email protected]

It was a beautiful day for the Access of West Michigan Walk for Good Food!

Scot and Jeff have tallied funds raised thus far and say we have about $400 more to raise to reach our goal of $1500. Thanks to all who have donated already!

You can still donate at the link below:

https://secure.givelively.org/teams/access-of-west-michigan/access-walk-for-good-food-2024/st-mark-s-breakfast-cafe-team

Today is the day! Join us at Richmond Park for our kickoff at 2pm. Didn't register to walk yet? No worries! Come on by and walk with us. View https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan/access-walk-for-good-food-2024 to start your own fundraising team and to learn more.

Together, we can work together towards a better and more healthy food system that is accessible for all.

Big shoutout to our incredible sponsors for supporting our annual Walk for Good Food fundraiser! Your generosity is making a real impact in our community. Let's walk together towards a brighter, healthier future! 🌟

Our Walk for Good Food Kickoff is just a few days away!

🌿 The event will include kids activity booths, light refreshments, 1 mile and 5k walking routes, and t-shirts available for purchase.
🌿The Walk raises funds for Access and seven of our partner organizations; United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), New City Neighbors, Our Kitchen Table, SECOM Resource Center, North End Wellness Coalition, Trinity United Methodist Church Community Ministries, and Kent County Food Policy Council.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you there!

A huge thank you our Harvester (highest level) sponsor for this year's Walk for Good Food! SpartanNash has been a consistent sponsor for our event year after year and we are extremely grateful for them and all that they have done for Access and our partners.

For information on becoming a sponsor for the Walk please visit: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:217f6dcd-6444-4168-b4f4-236ed831e6fb

We are only 12 days away from our Walk for Good Food kickoff event! We are extremely thankful for everyone who comes together to make the Walk happen. See our posters for this year printed by our sponsor KCI, as well as our new shirts done by For Everyone Collective.

T-shirts will be given out to everyone who makes a donation of $100 or more, and also will be available for purchase at the kickoff event for $20 (or 2 for $35).

✨ We are looking forward to seeing you there! ✨

A few members of our team had a wonderful time at New City Neighbors’ Spring Soiree on Monday evening! ✨ We love supporting our Good Food partners as an organization and personally as individual members of the farm share, receiving fresh and locally grown produce weekly.

Madison and Gratia- center- pictured here with Avery and Joanna from New City ✨

Did you know that Access has been hosting the Walk for Good Food for almost 50 years? Here are some photos that we rediscovered during our move that celebrate decades of walking to support a renewed food system in West Michigan.

🌟 Join us in our mission to raise $90,000 and support 8 local nonprofits dedicated to fighting poverty and food insecurity
🌟 Kick off is on Sunday, May 5, 2-4pm at Richmond Park - or walk in your neighborhood over the next ten days.
🌟 Visit accessofwestmichigan.org/walk/ to learn more

Curious why we are so passionate about healthy + accessible food and how we define it? Swipe to learn more! For additional resources, check out the Michigan Good Food Charter.

🌟 Attention Local Vendors! 🌟

Are you passionate about showcasing your creations to a community eager for fresh, affordable, fair, and diverse food options?

We're thrilled to invite you to be a part of our upcoming Annual Walk for Good Food! This event celebrates community, good food and equity and we want to feature the best local vendors like you! 🌿 In previous years, we've had the pleasure of local libraries, children's activity facilitators, and various food vendors donate time and goods to our event.

📅 Date: Sunday, May 5th
📍 Location: Richmond Park

Why join us?
✅ Gain exposure to a diverse audience of individuals and families.
✅ Promote your brand in a vibrant community setting.
✅ Support a worthy cause while showcasing your talents and gifts.

To reserve your spot or inquire about more details, please DM us or contact [email protected]. Spaces are limited, so act fast to secure your spot at this exciting community event!

Wishing our Muslim friends and community members a Ramadan Kareem! May it be a month of peace. To learn more about this important time for the Muslim Community, check out this resource:

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-56695447

Our Good Food team recently began a multi-year project focusing on anti-racism and anti-oppression in the food system.

🌿 With their cohort of 4 other food-oriented organizations, they gather monthly to dive deep into various topics. They celebrated black history month in February by discussing Black excellence in the food system.
🌿 We were honored to have Lisa Oliver-King of Our Kitchen Table and Arick Davis of Last Mile Café come and share their experiences.

Gratia, our Good Food Systems Director, shared her thoughts on the project so far in the quote above.

Access has moved! Over the past month, our dedicated team has been hard at work packing and tidying up as we make the transition from our former office space into our new home.

✨ As of today, Access of West Michigan has officially relocated to the Baxter Community Center. We want to take time to thank Sonja Forte and her team for allowing Access to partner with them and share space for at least the next year.
✨ We also want to thank the CRCNA for their years of partnership with Access and allowing us to call their space home for over a decade.

Despite the hectic process of moving, we are extremely grateful and looking forward to what is next in our upcoming season.

This month, Access was honored to host a table at the 2024 Growing Connections Food Summit, which took place at GVSU in partnership with .

🌿 This event brought together a diverse group of West Michigan farmers, businesses, community organizations, educators, and students, all united in their commitment to fostering sustainable, local food economies.
🌿 The event included a panel on Restorative Justice and Food, moderated by Christina Mpilo from Soul Fire Farm, and featuring voices like Eric Freeman of Mindset Meals, Rev. Nurya Love Parish from Plainsong Farm, and Myriah Williams, representing the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.

Access of West Michigan is proud to have been a part of such an impactful day, furthering our mission alongside fellow advocates for a healthier, more equitable food landscape.

We are excited to announce the six incredible partner organizations who will be joining us for our annual 'Walk for Good Food' fundraiser! 🌟 Every step taken, every dollar raised, brings us closer to a world where nutritious food is accessible for all.
Stay tuned for more information regarding the Walk as May 5th approaches.

It's Black History Month! Swipe for some ideas for how to use time this month to plan for how you're celebrating Black History throughout the rest of the year.

Mark your calendars for our 47th annual Walk for Good Food kick-off event! The Walk event this year will take place at Richmond Park on May 5th.

Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not just about remembering the past; it's a call to action for the present. Today, let's honor Dr. King's legacy by actively participating in the pursuit of justice and equity in our communities locally and globally.

Access of West Michigan is closed today in observance of

Access has been involved with Invest Health since 2018!

🔹 Invest Health is a collaboration between the Reinvestment Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it is a group of small and mid-sized cities working at the intersection of community development and health to create more equitable communities.
🔹 In late November over 200 representatives from 36 cities gathered in Nashville. Our Good Food Director Gratia travelled with staff from Corewell Health Healthier Communities, the city of Grand Rapids, the Kent County Health Department, and Dwelling Place.

“It was so energizing to be amongst a group of individuals who are equally passionate about creating positive change in our communities. I’m excited about the possibility of visiting other cities to learn from them and their innovative food projects and to bring those best practices back here to our own community.”

It's a new year, which means our 2024 Walk for Good Food collaborative fundraising event is coming up in the spring. The Walk Applications for potential partners have been sent out and the deadline is approaching quickly! Didn't receive an email but believe that your nonprofit organization or small business aligns with our Good Food values? Reach out to info@accessofwm for the application link and to learn more about how your business or organization can benefit from our walk!