There are currently 14 Community Gardens in Ionia County and work is underway to implement 4 Community Gardens in Montcalm County. Our partners include the MSU Extension, Master Gardeners, United Way & Volunteer Connections, Ionia County Health Dept.and the Mid-Michigan District Health Dept. The planning committee is formed with representatives from each community partner, community garden and many local food pantries. Anyone who wants to help with community gardens or distributing food to those in need are welcome to join.

News: The Healthy Recipes Cookbook is now available! Check out our Recipes & Tips page!

It is the mission of the Community Food Network to facilitate the development and on-going support of community-grown food sources and related distribution systems in order to provide locally grown, donated fresh produce to county residents in need.

The Community Food Network is a Planning Group designed to support Community Gardens and Food Distribution Resources.  Representatives from several local organizations meet on the first Monday of each month at the MSU Extension (MSU-E) Office to assist with garden coordination, distribution needs, resource development, marketing, volunteer recruitment, and educational planning.  This group is open to anyone who is interested in helping.  Volunteers from local service groups help out each garden including MSU-E Master Gardeners, the United Way & Volunteer Connections and the Ionia Kids Club.  

Community Gardens are maintained by volunteers and produce is donated to local families in need.

More volunteers are always needed and always welcomed at special events and work days. Muir Gardens, Maple Row Dairy, and Riverside Garden are requesting additional volunteers..  Work days will be scheduled soon, please check the calendar link for specific days or contact the garden coordinator for the garden that you would like to volunteer at!

Helping to Feed Local Families in Need
Fresh fruits and vegetables grown in local community gardens are distributed to families in need through local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other distribution resources.  Volunteers pick up produce from the gardens, sort and package the produce into family size portions and deliver it to food pantries.  Food pantries then distribute the available produce to clients who need help.  Other distribution resources include the Food Truck run by Feeding America and local Soup Kitchens.

In 2009, volunteers contributed over 935 hours in community gardens and provided over 34,155 lbs of fresh produce to local food pantries.

The Community Food Network meets regularly on the first Monday of the month at 1:30 PM at the MSU Extension Office (in the old State Police Post) at 50 E Sprague Rd.

Volunteers can join a committee to help with planning gardens, fundraising, marketing, distribution, educational classes or volunteer events.  Volunteers can also volunteer at one of the Community Gardens or Food Pantries.

Coming Events

Hands On Connect

Volunteers can join Hands On Connect, the NEW Volunteer Managment Software sponsored by the United Way and the Michigan Community Service Commission. This is a national website that is managed by local volunteer centers.

Why Register?

• Connect with local organizations that use volunteers!
• Sign up for special events and volunteer opportunities!
• Track volunteer hours for required service needs!
• Find local information about National Days of Service!

Volunteer Connections will be hosting training opportunities for you to learn how to use this software as a volunteer, a volunteer leader, or a parnter organization.

Click here to visit the Hands On Connect website

 

Community Food Network Slideshow

Pictures taken at various community gardens in Montcalm and Ionia Counties! To submit a photo or request permission to use a photo please contact the Community Food Network.