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Michigan Corner Store Initiative approved in state budget
The Michigan Vegetable Council is hopeful growers in the state will provide food deserts in urban and rural communities with locally grown produce as part of a new initiative recently approved in the governor’s 2018 fiscal year budget.
The Michigan Corner Store Initiative would create a $1.5 million grant program to incentivize small food retailers to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Executive Director Dave Smith says with nearly 3,000 large and small vegetable growers in the state, there’s no reason food access should keep consumers from healthy foods. “I see this as possibly being a way that some small growers might connect with some of these outlets. They could also be supplied in traditional ways though wholesale outlets that some of the larger growers send their produce to as well.”
David Hodgkins, government relations director for the American Heart Association, says it’s not necessarily a matter of knowing what healthy foods to eat, 1.8 million Michiganders have limited to no access to fresh fruits and vegetables. He says the organization is very optimistic the initiative will be funded by the end of this year and give priority to Michigan grown produce.
AUDIO: Michigan Corner Store Initiative Press call
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