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GREATER GRAND RAPIDS FOOD SYSTEMS COUNCIL by Tom Cary, Program Coordinator If you think food is important - then the work of the Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council should interest you. It is a collaborative of people with diverse interests who come together through WMEAC to build a more just and sustainable food system in West Michigan. The mission of the GGRFSC is "to support and promote physical and economic access to sufficient, nutritious food raised in a sustainable manner with an emphasis on local production." We envision a network of local farmers and gardeners, distributors, processors, chefs, retailers, agencies and residents working together to create and operate a local food system. That system would ensure food security for all, be ecologically and economically sustainable, enhance productive capacity, and connect our communities together and people to the place in which they live. 2003 was a very busy year for the Food Systems Council. Here are some of the activities: Community Gardens – We established a Community Garden Committee that is bringing together community garden leaders, assessing the status of community gardens in Grand Rapids, and reaching out to the statewide network. Farmers’ Markets – We worked with the SouthEast Community Association neighborhood and Sheldon Complex to establish and run a successful new farmers’ market in Grand Rapids - the SouthEast Community Farmers’ Market (SECFM). Education – We carried out educational activities at the SECFM and worked with Calvin College’s Urban Sociology class, studying how to get local food into their cafeteria. For some students, this was the first time they had ever asked where their food came from! The group also presented at the Growing Communities Conference. Food Security – We began working with the Kent County Emergency Needs Task Force Food Subcommittee to look at individual and regional food self-reliance issues. Connections between food support systems and local production were explored. Residents were introduced to information on how to grow and preserver their own food. Neighborhood kids, and Tom Cary, enjoy making apple cider at SouthEast Community Farmer’s market Public Policy – Our Public Policy Committee began its work by identifying policies that support or inhibit a just and sustainable local food system. We have started with the policies that effect community gardens in the City of Grand Rapids. Public Relations – We held our first annual conference and started a newsletter! The conference, Rooted in Community: Democratizing the Food System, was held in February and attended by nearly 100 people. We had two wonderful speakers - Mark Winne from the Hartford Food System and Dr. Michael Hamm, Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at MSU. There was a fabulous lunch of local food and an opportunity for attendees to help us envision our next steps. Our newsletter, "Rooted in Community," began its quarterly publication in June of this year, covering local food system issues and events. Organizational Development – Over the last year, the 14 member board of the Food Council developed its internal (operations) and external (programs) strategic plan, expanded its partnerships, and has collaborated with many groups such as MSU, MSU Extension, MIFFS, MOFFA, OGM, Michigan Dept of Agriculture, Kent County Health Department, SECA Eastown neighborhoods and others. Thanks to all the committed volunteers who have helped this work happen. 6 WMEAC ANNUAL REPORT 2003
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Years Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 Assets Preliminary Audited 3-31-2004 3-31-2003 : Cash and short term investments $210,013 $166,885 Pledges and accounts receivable 34,169 76,143 Furniture and equipment 17,749 19,886 Other 1,620 4,382 Total Assets 263,551 267,296 Liabilities: Notes and $30,000 matching gift payable to endowment 15,500 45,710 Current liabilities and funds held for other agencies 24,707 33,058 Total Liabilities Net Assets: 40,207 78,768 Unrestricted – general (deficit) (7,186) (12,312) Unrestricted – Board Designated – Note 0 23,913 Temporarily restricted 230,530 176,927 Total Net Assets 223,344 188,528 Total Liabilities and Net Assets 263,551 267,296 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Unrestricted: and undesignated Support and Revenue: Memberships and member contributions $ 75,845 $ 55,736 Anonymous donor mtching contribution -0- 30,900 Other grants and contributions 55,864 32,487 Program income and charges to grants 27,535 13,129 Investment income 9,539 3,408 Transfer from endowment – Note 15,504 28,000 Transfer from Board Designated Fund – Note 23,913 48,000 Restricted contributions and grants expended 215,636 124,832 Total Support and Revenue Expenses (2004 subject to more precise allocation) 423,836 336,492 Programs 328,791 229,798 Administration 69,976 88,024 Fund Raising 19,763 22,441 418,710 340,263 Net Gain / (loss) from Operations Temporarily restricted for specific purposes and future operations: 5,126 (3,771) Contributions and grants received 269,143 228,985 Expended and transferred to unrestricted above 215,636 124,832 Net Increase (decrease) in Temporarily Restricted Net Assets $53,603 $104,153 Note: The above financial statements do not include the assets of the West Michigan Environmental Action Endowment Fund, a related party controlled by West Michigan Environmental Action Council. Such assets amounted to approximately $770,000 at March 31, 2004, $630,000 at March 31, 2003, and $780,000 at March 31, 2002. In recognition of the 2003 decrease and other circumstances described in the Treasurer’s Report, the Board voted to designate an unrestricted bequest of $71,913 received in 2002 for the purpose of offsetting the lower draw from the Endowment and other expenses. The 2004 and 2003 years benefited from use of these funds, which were exhausted at March 31, 2004. Although the cash and short term investments balance at March 31, 2004 looks comfortable, it must be remembered that most of this will be expended for the purpose of specific grants in 2004, primarily the Rain Gardens program and the new Sustainable Agriculture program. WMEAC ANNUAL REPORT 2003 7
Page 1 and 2: West Michigan Environmental Action
Page 3 and 4: Karel Rogers, Ph.D. President of th
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Page 11 and 12: WATER QUALITY RAIN GARDENS OF WEST
Page 13 and 14: DEFENDERS City of Grand Rapids Dyer
Page 15 and 16: 2003 VOLUNTEERS Special thanks to e

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