POLICY & ADVOCACY

Growing Hope advocates for healthy food access, vibrant & sustainable communities, positive neighborhood development, and health equity.

Among these efforts, we are active in a number of city, county, and statewide coalitions and networks. Our recent work includes:

• Representing the Urban Agricultural seat on the Washtenaw Food Policy Council, and member of the Nutrition and Food Access Policy Action Team. Advocated in the Michigan legislature for increasing Michigan’s 10 Cents a Meal program. 
• Active member of the Michigan Farmers Market Association. We were the third Farmers Markets in Michigan to accept SNAP/EBT, and one of the first Farmers Markets to participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program. 
• Advocated for no cuts to SNAP benefits in the most recent U.S. Farm Bill 
• Helped create Ypsilanti Community School district’s Wellness Policy; sit on the district’s Coordinated School Health Team working to implement the policy goals. 
• One of the lead founders of the school district’s Farm to School Committee. Advocated for adding school garden goals in the district’s Wellness Policy. 
• At-large member of Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan coalition, dedicated to decreasing childhood obesity in Michigan. 
• Advocated for the passage of the Cottage Food Law, which former governor Jennifer Granholm signed into law at the Growing Hope Center in July 2010.
• Gathered community input to share best practices in support of Urban Chicken and Urban Bee legislation in the City of Ypsilanti, recently passed.
• Participated in focus groups, task forces, and summit that created the Michigan Good Food Charter, working to raise awareness among elected officials.