The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (ITCMI) announced on April 15 a new grant totaling nearly $925,000 to support food sovereignty and safety among Tribal Nations in the state.
The initiative, called the Tribal Food Sovereignty and Safety Project, aims to improve access to safe, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods within tribal communities. The project will provide funding over four years for infrastructure projects related to storage, processing, distribution, as well as educational programming on food safety and nutrition.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “Every community deserves access to safe, nutritious and culturally relevant foods. That’s why I’m proud to partner with the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan to support locally driven food security and safety initiatives across Michigan’s Tribal Nations. Together, we will continue to build food systems that promote the health and prosperity of communities throughout our state.”
MDARD Director Tim Boring said, “Safe, secure and sustainable food systems are the cornerstone of healthy communities. This exciting new project will support Michigan’s Tribal Nations as they continue investing in tools and infrastructure that promote food access, food safety and food sovereignty. I’m proud of the work MDARD is doing to improve families’ access to nutritious, locally grown foods throughout our state – and I’m grateful to our partners at the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan for their support in achieving that goal.”
ITCMI Executive Director Clayton Kincheloe added: “On behalf of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, we extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and MDARD for their partnership and support of the Tribal Food Sovereignty and Safety Project. This investment reflects a shared commitment to advancing safe, nutritious and culturally relevant foods within the Tribal Communities across Michigan while strengthening sustainable community-driven food systems that will improve the health resilience and quality of life for the next seven generations.”
As part of its broader mission according to its official website, MDARD supports farming communities through environmental preservation efforts designed both for public service benefit as well as economic growth in agriculture while safeguarding public health. The department oversees a system valued at nearly $126 billion according to its official website.
In addition according to its official website, MDARD enforces laws related to weights-and-measures standards along with oversight over commodity boards—ensuring consumer needs are met statewide.
