Maps from Google Maps
"Key Facts." Calvin University, Calvin University, 2020, calvin.edu/about/key-facts/.
Sartorelli, Kristiena. "34 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Grand Rapids." Movoto, www.movoto.com/guide/grand-rapids-mi/grand-rapids-facts/.
"History." East Grand Rapids, Michigan, CivicPlus, www.eastgr.org/96/History.
The southeast region of Grand Rapids has a rich history in improving the community aside from the bountiful edible trees. Calvin University was founded in 1876, providing those in the area with the opportunity to seek out a higher education ("Key Facts."). Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, a former resident of Grand Rapids, attended Grand Rapids South High School, the football field on which he played now being a protected piece of land ("History." ). The city is also known as a city that serves its people, known as the first city in the nation to add fluoride to its drinking water ("34 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Grand Rapids."). Additionally, the city’s manager during the Great Depression, George Welsh, set up a relief program predating President Roosevelt’s New Deal that utilized paper script money that could be used in exchange for basic necessities such as food and clothing ("34 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Grand Rapids."). By mapping out trees that can provide nutrient deficient diets with supplementary sources of healthy food choices, we can continue to better the lives of Grand Rapids citizens.
Being able to easily access food should be a basic human right, regardless of gender, race, class, and geography. However, in urban settings that are predominantly composed of minority groups who may face economic difficulties, this right is often overlooked. Southeast Grand Rapids is a predominantly Black community, making up 52.15% of the population with a significant number of people living below the poverty line--2,014/7,302; 27.5% ("South East Community, Grand Rapids, MI Demographics"). Many members of the community do not complete a form of higher education, 25.4% of residents only having completed some high school ("South East Community, Grand Rapids, MI Demographics"). As a result of these demographics, the southeast region of Grand Rapids faces the same injustices of many urban communities that are plagued by difficulty obtaining nutritious and appropriate food. This is where edible landscapes can come into play and help ease the stress of these communities, such as southeast Grand Rapids. A food desert refers to an area, usually a city, where nutrient dense and affordable food is difficult for the average person to obtain easily. By setting up resources online that pinpoint the location of trees that produce edible food, people struggling in urban settings are provided the opportunity to access foods outside of a nutrient-lacking corner stores. In southeast Grand Rapids, there are a number of these edible trees scattered throughout the city that can provide people with fresh food they would not have access to otherwise.
Population demographics
7,302
Median age: 29
Occupational Employment
2,130 White Collar (29.17 %)
1,139 Blue collar (15.6%)
Self employees (2.31%)
Private companies (33.32%)
Governmental workers (2.74%)
Not for profit (6.4%)
Income
Average Household Income: $53,571.41
Median household Income: $42,724.00
People below Poverty Level: 2,014
People above Poverty Level: 5,029
Education
No High School - 7.96%
Some High School - 25.4%
Some College - 15.98%
Associate Degree - 4.4%
Bachelors Degree - 10.81%
Graduate Degree - 0%
Race
White- 29.32%
Black - 52.15%
Asian - 0.52%
Native Americans - 0.12%
Native Hawaiian - 0.00%
Mixed race - 7.07%
Other race - 11.82%
"Southeast Grand Rapids Demographics." Point2, 2018 American Community Survey, www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/MI/Grand-Rapids/Southeast-Grand-Rapids-Demographics.html.
"South East Community, Grand Rapids, MI Demographics." areavibes, United States Census Bureau American Community, www.areavibes.com/grand+rapids-mi/south+east+community/demographics/.
To help in the fight for more accessible food in Grand Rapids, our Southeast team has mapped and recorded edible trees around the local area. Fallingfruit.org was a great resource to locate some of the known edible trees and discover more in the region. Our goal with mapping and collecting data on the accessibility of these trees is to provide an alternative food source within the community.