Primary Objective: Conserve, protect, and restore local agriculture and aquaculture resources
Our local and sustainable food sources will continue to improve as we buy a greater proportion of our food from local producers, preserve more farmland, eliminate industrial pesticide use, and support community gardens on available urban parcels.
Local Food Sufficiency Indicators
State of Our Environment
Local food sufficiency is an increasing priority for the City. Local food tends to be more fresh, has a lower average carbon footprint from source to consumer, involves lower transportation costs, encourages preservation of nearby farmland, and keeps purchasing dollars in the local economy. Local foods are increasingly organic, containing less chemicals (in the form of pesticides and herbicides) from entering our bodies and our environment.
Michigan produces the second greatest variety of agricultural crops in the U.S., just after California. We have a great diversity of foods all around Ann Arbor, and the City is committed to strengthening the ties between local farms and residents.
What the City of Ann Arbor is Doing?
- Ann Arbor Farmer's Market: The City operates the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market every Saturday of the year, and on Wednesdays from May through December. The market, located in the historic Kerrytown District, features locally grown produce, flowers, shrubs, plants, jams, honey, maple syrup, jellies, baked goods, grains, fruits, eggs, dairy products, homemade wearing apparel, toys, jewelry, home decorations, furniture, dried flowers, pottery and candles all in an open-air atmosphere.
- Project Grow Community Gardens: City staff are looking at city-owned property that may be suitable for Project Grow Community Gardens.
You Can Help