Growing in Community: Stories from the Field

Our local food system is comprised of a complex network of individuals working together to integrate sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management. Together, we are strengthening our community’s economic, environmental, physical, and social health.

In 2011, ANC committed to create a multi-functional food resource center and food hub: the Allen Market Place. As envisioned, this would build upon our previous decade of food-related initiatives and allow creative bundling of additional programs to strengthen the food system of the Eastside and, indeed, the mid-Michigan region. Our job is to anchor the local food movement. We help provide wider access to markets for small to mid-sized producers, and increased access to fresh healthy food for consumers, including underserved areas and those facing food insecurity. It is through our food hub that the Veggie Box is possible, and in return, our local food system is strengthened.

The following narratives are meant to personalize the work that we are doing, and illustrate the complexity of not only Veggie Box, but our larger food system.

---