Activate West Michigan Coalition

Convened by the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, the goal of Activate West Michigan Coalition (AWMC) is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income individuals, especially children, living in African American and Latino communities in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Data collected by Healthy U, a parallel community program in Grand Rapids, MI, revealed that there was a lack of availability of fresh produce in the targeted inner city neighborhoods. In order to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, AWMC organized various community and schoolyard gardens and established new farmers' markets through partnerships with local farmers, educators, and faith-based organizations.

A YMCA staff member organized each community garden and implemented a seven-session, standardized Community and Schoolyard Garden curriculum to instruct students in proper gardening techniques. In addition, AWMC established farmers' markets at local schools to help expose both students and families to fresh produce.

AWMC was made possible by a $40,000 grant provided the YMCA of USA's Pioneering Healthier Communities Program, a collaborative project between the YMCA of USA and the Centers for Disease Control.

The goal of the Activate West Michigan coalition is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income individuals.

Ninety-seven percent of the students who participated in the program said that they enjoyed the concepts of gardening and "getting their hands dirty." In addition, 100% of people who attended the five new farmers' markets established by AWMC said that they would come again and that they appreciated having access to fresh vegetables. Ninety-eight percent said that they learned about community resources and 85% said that they gained knowledge about healthy eating

In addition, as a result of the success of AWMC, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids received a $537,000 grant from the USDA to help AWMC and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids expand their mission to include a new goal of increasing physical activity in the targeted communities.