Mapping Edible Trees, Southwest Grand Rapids
Food deserts are a growing problem in the United States that is caused by a lack of access to healthy and fresh foods in certain areas. According to the food empowerment project, about 2.3 million people live more than one mile away from a supermarket and do not own a car. One characteristic of food deserts is socioeconomic status because food deserts are mostly seen in low-income communities of color. Access to fresh and healthy foods is a right that all people should have regardless of socioeconomic background. Urban agriculture plays a role in lessening the food scarcity in these areas and lessening the magnitude of these food deserts. In 2016 the Grand Rapids City Commision established the Urban Agriculture Committee to bring information to the public about the benefits of urban agriculture. We have teamed up with the committee to find and help map edible trees in the Southwest Grand Rapids area.
Edible Tree Map of Grand Rapids
Edible trees are represented on this map by the red dots. Our job is to find and observe trees in the Southwest region and determine if they are still there and accessible.
Trees We May Observe
Sugar Maple
Stone Fruit
Honey Locust
Actual Trees Observed
Map of Southwest Grand Rapids
Map via Google Maps
Socioeconomic Maps of Southwest Grand Rapids
The geography of the southwest corner of Grand Rapids influences the ethnic makeup, education levels, and average income. ArcGIS maps gave insight to the specific area of the southwest corner of Grand Rapids.
Ethnicity
Mostly White, small Hispanic population
82.2% White, 10.6% Black, 7.2% Other
Education
Some high school to some college
90.3% high school diploma, 35.2% college graduate
Income
Average income: $24,000 to 40,000
Per capita $31,005 (2018 Kent Census)
Facts about Southwest Grand Rapids
One historical fact about Southwest Grand Rapids is that the area was occupied by Native American people after the Mound Builders, and the Native Americans ended up handing it over to the European settlers via the Treaty of Chicago. Another fact is that Grand Rapids was a center for craftsmen, carpenters and woodworkers during the lumber boom of the 1880s, and became known as “America’s Furniture Capital.” At the height of the lumber boom, Grand Rapids was home to 44 furniture companies. Two additional informational facts about Southwest Grand Rapids are as follows; one of the most popular attractions in Southwest Grand Rapids is The Grand Lady Riverboat and John Ball died leaving behind 40 acres of land for public use to the City of Grand Rapids which led to the gift and birth of the John Ball Zoo in 1884.
Southwest Grand Rapids is home to many attractions, varieties of edible trees, and different ethnic groups although the area is predominately White. These edible trees are a source of food for minority groups or others in the area who may be struggling with food insecurity. Edible trees in Southwest Grand Rapids and most other areas are accessible for those in need despite their race, income, or level of education. The benefits provided by urban agriculture such as a reduction in food insecurity, strengthening of community, and the ability to grow food sources in unique areas, allow humans of any kind the option to access these trees as a source of food.
Works Cited
Bev Boerman. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.bevboerman.com/Pages/Southwest- Grand-Rapids-MI.aspx
Common Hackberry. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://www.mckaynursery.com/common- hackberry-3507.html
Food Deserts. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://foodispower.org/access-health/food- deserts/
Grand Rapids Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.experiencegr.com/media/grand-rapids-fact-sheet/
John Ball Zoo. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.jbzoo.org/125/history/chapter1
Littleleaf Linden Tree. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://foxrivervalleynursery.com/Littleleaf-Linden-Tree_p_76.html
Shademaster Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster') at Tagawa Gardens. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://plants.tagawagardens.com/12130017/Plant/804/Shademas ter_Honeylocust
Sugar Maple. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://www.naturehills.com/sugar-maple
Tree created that can produce 40 stonefruit varieties. (2020, February 27). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2020/02/27/tree-created- that-can-produce-40- stonefruit-varieties/
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Grand Rapids charter township, Kent County, Michigan; Kent County, Michigan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2020, from: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/grandrapidscharterto wnshipkentcountymichigan,kentcountymichigan/BZA115218
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kent County, Michigan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2020, from: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kentcountymichigan/ BZA115218
Group Members:
Skye Johnson, Jacob Torok, Alaina Blickley, Hailey Birchmeier, Riley Wroblewski, Nicole Wilson, Alyssa Schnell, Dru Hajec, Daniel DeJong, Jared Jesko
