Food Systems Project
Photo of sunflower in Riddle school garden courtesy of Katie Olender
Without a full-service grocery store, northwest Lansing is considered a "food
desert." Many residents, especially the ¼ living in poverty, find it difficult to
access healthy food. The Food Systems Project works to increase residents'
access to healthy, affordable food while educating residents about the
importance of eating healthy. Click here for our brochure!
desert." Many residents, especially the ¼ living in poverty, find it difficult to
access healthy food. The Food Systems Project works to increase residents'
access to healthy, affordable food while educating residents about the
importance of eating healthy. Click here for our brochure!
Food Systems Project Programs:
The Food Systems Project has new programs coming in 2010, be sure to check back for
updates on these important new programs!
Seeking Volunteers
We are always in need of volunteers! Volunteer opportunities range from leading school
garden activities in K-8 classrooms to garden planning, to simply helping water and weed the
gardens.
Volunteers wishing to assist in the classroom will visit the same classroom for one hour every
week or every other week (depending on the room) and will lead a garden based nutrition
education activity. Activities include: veggie bingo, harvesting vegetables, cooking in the
classroom, garden art projects, writing about the garden, and much more. Volunteers must be
at least 18 years old, reliable, timely, and able to work with diverse student populations.
If you would like more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Joy at 999-2894;
joy@nwlansing.org.
Get Involved!
The Food Systems Project meets monthly with residents, stakeholders, and partners. The
public is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Joy, the Food
Systems Project Coordinator, or call 517-999-2894. Click here to see when our next meeting is!
Food Systems Project in the News
4/05/2007 Mural depicts students' growing project
4/07/2007 Amazing Artwork Brings a School Garden Indoors
5/13/2007 Local Sorority Digs Deep to Help Garden Project
12/7/2007 Delivering on a quality promise
4/23/2009 Students Celebrate Earth Day
10/17/2009 Bringing The Country Into The City
11/09/2009 Helping Hands
Links:
Food Systems Project Brochure
Green Thumb Gazette - Newsletter sent home quarterly with enrolled students
Food Systems Project grant funders:
Michigan Nutrition Network
Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program
Capital Region Community Foundation
- School Garden Based Nutrition Education
The Riddle Elementary School Garden, Cavanaugh
Elementary School Garden, Mid-Michigan Leadership
Academy Garden and Willow Elementary School Gardens
(new in 2010) teach students about healthy eating and how to
grow food for themselves. Students run the gardens,
participating in every step from choosing what to grow and
preparing the soil, to harvesting, cooking, and eating the food.
We currently have 44 classes (900 students), grades K-8
enrolled for 1 hour visits each month. Click here to learn more!
Corner Store Produce Project
The Corner Store Produce Project has allowed us to help our
local convenience store, the Pine/Saginaw Quality Dairy,
provide fresh, organic, local grown fruits and vegetables to our
“food desert” community. FSP expanded the program to three
additional stores in June 2009! Click here to learn more!
- Youth and Community Gardens
The Food Systems Project assists in the coordination of the
Walnut Youth Community Garden as a means for residents to
access fresh produce. FSP also distributed over 300 pounds
of overstock school garden produce to Capitol Commons
Senior Apartments at no cost to the residents in 2009. If you
would like to help with the Walnut Garden or overstock
produce donations, please contact Joy at 999-2894.
The Food Systems Project has new programs coming in 2010, be sure to check back for
updates on these important new programs!
Seeking Volunteers
We are always in need of volunteers! Volunteer opportunities range from leading school
garden activities in K-8 classrooms to garden planning, to simply helping water and weed the
gardens.
Volunteers wishing to assist in the classroom will visit the same classroom for one hour every
week or every other week (depending on the room) and will lead a garden based nutrition
education activity. Activities include: veggie bingo, harvesting vegetables, cooking in the
classroom, garden art projects, writing about the garden, and much more. Volunteers must be
at least 18 years old, reliable, timely, and able to work with diverse student populations.
If you would like more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Joy at 999-2894;
joy@nwlansing.org.
Get Involved!
The Food Systems Project meets monthly with residents, stakeholders, and partners. The
public is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Joy, the Food
Systems Project Coordinator, or call 517-999-2894. Click here to see when our next meeting is!
Food Systems Project in the News
4/05/2007 Mural depicts students' growing project
4/07/2007 Amazing Artwork Brings a School Garden Indoors
5/13/2007 Local Sorority Digs Deep to Help Garden Project
12/7/2007 Delivering on a quality promise
4/23/2009 Students Celebrate Earth Day
10/17/2009 Bringing The Country Into The City
11/09/2009 Helping Hands
Links:
Food Systems Project Brochure
Green Thumb Gazette - Newsletter sent home quarterly with enrolled students
Food Systems Project grant funders:
Michigan Nutrition Network
Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program
Capital Region Community Foundation
| NorthWest Initiative - North Neighborhood Center 1012 North Walnut, Lansing, MI 48906 Phone: 517-999-2894 Fax: 517-999-2897 |
