Food & Nutrition
Working together to ensure everyone in Kent County is food secure and able to meet their nutritional needs.
Why It Matters
When neighborhood resources are underfunded, food is shipped from far away, and wages fall short, people are left unable to afford enough fresh, healthy food. ENTF recognizes Food & Nutrition as a systems issue, shaped by interconnected factors that require collaborative solutions.
A Better Way Forward
We envision a system where farm and food businesses balance the wellbeing of employees, community, and environment, and all people in Kent County are food secure with access to culturally appropriate, local foods.
Get Involved
If you work or serve in the food sector, we invite you to take part in our Food & Nutrition Committee. Participation is open and ongoing—simply subscribe to our mailing list for meeting details. Then, attend a committee meeting and add your expertise to the systems-level work advancing food access in Kent County.
- Gain efficiencies in your work by connecting with others in your space
- Better serve and refer clients as part of a trusted, county-wide network
- Access cross-committee education and training
- Identify gaps and reduce redundancies in the effort to ensure food security
- Forge strategic alignment towards sustainable systems change
Kent County Food Policy Council
Equitable food access depends on strong policy. To advance that work, ENTF launched the Kent County Food Policy Council (KCFPC) in 2021. While ENTF’s Food & Nutrition Committee focuses on coordination and access, the Council leads policy advocacy to build a more just, resilient food system.
Through its leadership and collaboration, KCFPC released the Kent County Food System Plan in 2025—a community-driven roadmap for lasting change. Learn more about the Council, the Plan, and how to support their work by visiting their website.
Our Partners
These organizations are current and past participants in this Committee.
Access of West Michigan
Barry's House
Baxter Community Center
Catholic Charities of West Michigan (God’s Kitchen)
City of Grand Rapids
City of Wyoming
Community Food Club
Corewell Health
Creston Neighborhood Association
Cultivating Futures
DataWise Consulting
Eastern Michigan University
Fair Food Network
Family Network of Wyoming
Feeding America West Michigan
FitKids360
Flat River Outreach Ministries
Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Pride Center
Grand Rapids Public Library
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Valley State University
Health Net of West Michigan
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Heartside Gleaning Initiative
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
HOPE Gardens
In the Image
Kent County Community Action
Kent County Health Department
Kent District Library
Kent Intermediate School District
Kids' Food Basket
Meals on Wheels
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Fitness Foundation
Michigan League for Public Policy
Michigan State University Extension
Molina Healthcare
National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
North End Community Ministry
North Kent Connect
Petersen Research Consultants
Puertas Abiertas
Revive and Thrive
South End Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM)
Steelcase Foundation
Streams of Hope
The Community Basket
The Green Apple Pantry
The Other Way Ministries
The Salvation Army
United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM)
United Methodist Community House
University of Michigan Health-West
Volunteers in Service
West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
Westminster Presbyterian Church
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
Food & Nutrition Resources
Find the meeting documents, reports, and tools that shape our work.
Explore Our Committees
Food & Nutrition
The Food & Nutrition Committee works to ensure everyone in Kent County is food secure and able to meet their nutritional needs.
Learn More
Energy Efficiency
The Energy Efficiency Committee works to ensure all residents in Kent County have consistent, affordable, and efficient energy services.
Learn More
Transportation
The Transportation Committee works to expand transit options so everyone in Kent County can get where they need to go.
Learn More
Workforce Development
The Workforce Development Committee works to support job seekers so all people in Kent County can reach their employment and financial goals.
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Digital Access
The Digital Access Committee works to close the digital divide—ensuring everyone in Kent County can afford devices and internet, build digital skills, and fully participate in modern life.
Learn MoreSubscribe to our mailing list for meeting details.
Participation is open and ongoing—simply attend a meeting to join this Committee.
