Good Food Battle Creek has facilitated a range of activities:
- Hosting, in association with Fair Food Network, a 2016 Battle Creek Food Business Boot Camp to identify and help strengthen food entrepreneurs and their small business venture efforts.
- Piloting a 2016 Battle Creek north side neighborhoods Good Food Assessment Survey (developed by MSU’s Center for regional Food Systems) to augment and update the 2013 BC community food assessment.
- Participated in a 2015 Michigan Food Justice mapping project in association with Michigan State University to craft a working definition of food justice and food sovereignty and locally identify relevant agencies that support this work.
- Completed a 2014/15 strategic deep root analysis that led to the current Good Food Battle Creek strategic plan.
- Conducted a series of 2013/14 anti-racism workshops that address issues including food access and security for all, including communities of color.
- Researched, developed and distributed a 2013 Battle Creek Community Food Assessment that reported out on the status of the Battle Creek food system.
- Conducted annual food conferences since 2013 to inform and educate the Battle Creek community on issues related to the local food system.
- Convened a series of 2012 Community Focus Groups to help inform the Battle Creek Community Food Assessment.
- Administered a 2011-2013 small grants program aimed at providing financial support for the food systems work taking place in the community.
- Conducted a series of 2011 meetings to choose six (6) of the Michigan Good Food Charter priorities as an initial measure to align Good Food Battle Creek work with other work underway in Michigan.
- Provided networking, collaboration, capacity building, and leadership development opportunities for GFBC’s members working to advance the food justice agenda.
- Facilitated a 2010 strategic planning process to help obtain a comprehensive picture of the strengths and opportunities present in the community’s food system and inform planning.
- Assessed, articulated and made available best practices for a food justice agenda.
Additional Work
- Hosted film nights and other educational sharing events where residents have the opportunity to view documentaries about the food system and learn more about the fair food movement.
- Networked and exchanged ideas with others involved in food system/food justice work both locally and nationally.
- Developed a communication strategy aimed at encouraging citizens to become active participants in improving the quality and fairness of their food system while getting the word out about Good Food BC activities.
- Through its small grants program, issued grants to support projects and programs. With funds provided by Fair Food Network, GFBC awarded more than $130,000 in grants to support a variety of community projects.
