Michigan is home to a variety of innovative businesses and organizations dedicated to building a stronger food system and state. Are you interested in making an impact with your community? Supporting mission-driven organizations is a great way to make a difference with your dollar or volunteer time! Learn more about these businesses across the state who wear their missions on their sleeves:
The Portage Health Foundation, Hancock
Covering the health needs of several Western UP counties, the Portage Health Foundation works to improve food access and provide education about local food. Their efforts, which include a Collective CSA program, and Biblio Bistro, an educational cooking series held in partnership with local libraries, all support the goal of getting more local healthy food to their community. In 2022, one of their biggest goals is to increase the amount of local food used in area institutions, such as schools and senior meal programs. You can support their efforts by learning more at phfgive.org/food.
Bear Creek Organic Farm, Petoskey
Bear Creek Organic Farm is on a mission to deliver the purest products possible from their farm to their customers’ table. They aim to educate the community on the benefits of local, organic, and pollinator-friendly agriculture, and enhance the region’s local economy, environmental sustainability, and access to nutritious food. As a USDA Organic and B-Corp certified Farm and Market, they are well on their way to fulfilling this goal! Check out their online farm stand here.
Vine Ride, Petoskey
Vine Ride is a small business with big impact. Specializing in small group tours of local wineries, their mission is to help people create joyful memories as they explore the unique viticulture in northwest Michigan. In June 2019, Vine Ride took steps to become the first Certified B Corp in Emmet County. Take a ride with Vine Ride at https://mivineride.com/
Sisters on a Roll, Detroit
Chef Bee of Sisters on a Roll creates delicious vegan meat analogues, such as wingz and other plant-based alternatives, as well as hosts catering pop ups and events. Beyond that, they also provide 40 meals every weekday for those that cannot afford a meal, and they serve an additional 300 meals every Wednesday through Mutual Aid! Right now, Sisters on a Roll is looking for donations towards a mobile kitchen. You can support this goal and their mission to ‘wage war with a fork’ on their GoFundMe page.
Can-Do Kitchen, Kalamazoo
This commercial kitchen space and startup incubator creates possibilities for food entrepreneurs! Their mission is to remove the considerable barriers for food business owners in the beginning stages of their operation, from microloans to a business bootcamp. To help support their mission, check out their family of businesses, including Specialty Cheesecake and Dessert Company and Papa’s Peanut Brittle!
Revalue, Ypsilanti
Revalue takes a comprehensive approach to crafting an ongoing financial and investment plan to help its clients make the most of their money, time, and energy to deeply align with their values. Their mission is to be a home for people passionate about cultivating an abundance mindset in service of community resilience and future generations. As financial navigators, they connect people to their purpose by crafting values-aligned financial plans and creative educational programming. Revalue redefines wealth, for good. Learn how you can invest in humanity for humanity with Revalue here.
Wormie’s Vermicompost, Grand Rapids
This compost company is combating climate change and waste by creating healthy soil for garden and agricultural use! Vermicompost, also known as worm manure, uses worms for part of the 12 month process breaking down waste into soil, and creates a unique set of probiotics vital to healthy soil. Their goal in 2022 is to grow and help Grand Rapids become the standard nationwide for responsible waste management! Support this goal and their business by picking up a bag of vermicompost, or joining in their food scrap exchange program!
Feed the Need, Alpena
Feed the Need is a completely volunteer-run organization that provides food to those in need in Northern Michigan. Through their food distribution initiatives and “Pop-up Pantries,” they find that fresh produce is the most popular item they can distribute. This year, their goal is to increase their volunteer base so they can run larger food distributions! Interested in lending a helping hand? Reach out to Courtney Holmes at 989-464-0202 or by email at [email protected].
The Good Bowl, Traverse City
Not only is the Good Bowl is a premium Vietnamese eatery that offers a fresh and healthy dining experience, but they also provide guests an opportunity to easily contribute to their communities. For every bowl sold, The Good Bowl donates $1 to charity of the patron’s choice, including a local, national and global non- profit organization. See what’s on the menu at https://www.goodbowleatery.com/
These inspiring businesses and organizations make a huge impact on our state. All of them have opportunities for you to get involved – which will you choose to support this year?
Claire Butler is the Communications & Outreach Specialist for Taste the Local Difference.
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