Climate Action and Adaptation Plan - Food Systems
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan - Food Systems
Embedded Files
The City of Grand Rapids- Experience Grand Rapids, n.d.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in the state of Michigan, with the Grand River running directly through its center. It is also surrounded by many cities and townships that have very significant agricultural presence. However, even with this presence, many Grand Rapids residents struggle with food insecurity.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
The Grand Rapids CAAP is a plan that the
City of Grand Rapids has set in place as a
way to increase equity and mitigate
climate change through multiple
systems. The CAAP has the goal to reduce per-capita GHG emissions by 62.8% from 2019 to 2030 and by 100% from 2019 to 2050.
Robert Cloy II
Robert works with the City of Grand
Rapids, using his sustainability
background from working in
environmental and climate justice,
as well as his education from GVSU, where he earned a
degree in Natural Resource Management
in 2018.
New City Neighbors Farm, Photo by Tricia Phelps-
New City Neighbors, n.d.
Food System
The Grand Rapids food system is facing multiple hurdles. It has an aging agricultural population with an average age of 55. The city is experiencing the largest population growth in Michigan and has lost about 13,000 acres of farmland to urbanization.
Additionally, due to historic redlining, there are pockets throughout the city with limited food accessibility, both in terms of cost and dietary variety.
There are several organizations that are trying to offset these issues, but there are still gaps in resources which leaves many households in need of support.
Stakeholders
New City Neighbors, Photo by Luke Fann-
Rapid Growth Media, March 26, 2025
Kent County Food Policy Council
Social connections, community learning, advocacy, and data consolidation
Provides critical support for implementing policy and connecting suppliers and outlets
New City Neighbors
Urban growing experts, community outreach, community education
Provides critical support regarding community education and assistance with developing sustainable, urban agriculture
Wormies
Compost support and experts
Critical in processing compost material for use in urban agricultural environments
Urban Ag Committee
Education and community empowerment, food systems policy
Vital in empowering and engaging communities with urban agriculture and food availability
Access of West Michigan
Invests in sustainable, healthy, and cheap food systems and poverty education
Works with many partners across Kent County to strengthen food security and resilience
Possible Stakeholder Capital
Possible Stakeholder Capital
The capital, in reference to food systems, within Grand Rapids is primarily supported financially by grants and funding from community shareholders.
Types of Capital- Riable, May 10, 2021.
Prototypes
Artesian Farms, Photo by Brandy Baker – The Detroit News, August 15 2016
Implement composting and hydroponics
systems into vacant buildings to utilize
as a local growing location
Originated from Ideation Phase Category: Longshot, defined as an idea requiring higher investment and resource allocation but involving fewer variable hurdles.
How it works: Convert unused buildings and infrastructure into an urban agriculture cite within a select community. Divert roof drainage into collection systems to supply water for growing, and use organic waste from the cite as fertilizers and soil. Enable community ownership by
allowing individuals to use plots for growing. The city would purchase grown food sourced from the cite for sale throughout Grand Rapids.
Partners: It is recommended to partner with New City Neighbors and Wormies to establish the system and train community members to operate the urban agriculture center.
Timeline for implementation: Approximately 6 months for permitting and renovation. Growing can occur year-round, with harvest cycles occurring twice annually.
Fulton Street Market, Photo by Charlsie Dewer – Grand Rapids Magazine, June 10 2018
Fulton Street Market, Photo by Charlsie Dewer – Grand Rapids Magazine, June 10 2018
Community Food Exchange and Event
Community Food Exchange and Event
Originated from Ideation Phase Category: Darling, defined as an idea that supports CAAP goals by reducing emissions and increasing food access through community engagement.
How it works: Host an event that brings the community together to exchange food products. Use the event as an opportunity to provide information on home growing, food access options, and other resources.
Partners: It is recommended to partner with Access of West Michigan and the Kent County Food Policy Council, as both organizations have strong ties to the community and networks that can facilitate the safe exchange of food. The Fulton Street Market would serve as a great venue for hosting this event.
Timeline for implementation: This event can be tested immediately once a venue is secured and information is spread amongst the community.
Thank you
for Listening!
Isabelle Zinn, Zoe Gondeck, Hannah Krause, Chris Butera, Collin Kiessel
Citations:
Citations:
Artesian Farms, The Detroit News, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2016/08/15/indoor-farms-vacant-buildings-detroit/88813972/
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, City of Grand Rapids, www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Sustainability/Climate-Change/Climate-Action-and-Adaptation-Plan.
Fulton St. Farmers Market, Grand Rapids Magazine, https://www.grmag.com/food-drink/must-try/fulton-st-farmers-market-introduces-summer-nights-series/
Granicus. (n.d.). Facts and history. City of Grand Rapids . https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/About/City-of-Grand-Rapids-Facts-and-History
New City Neighbors, Neve Digital Studio, https://newcityneighbors.org/staff1/
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