Local First of West Michigan

Please give a warm introduction to the new movers and makers in the Local First community: ?? ?? Amanda Kamppinen Photography is a food and headshot photographer based in Grand Rapids, MI. Amanda is all about capturing both the vibrant essence of food and the true character of individuals through stunning imagery. ?? West Grand Neighborhood Organization (WGNO) is the second-largest neighborhood organization in Grand Rapids. Its boundaries include the Grand River to the east, Bridge Street to the south, Bristol Street to the southwest, and the city limits to the north. Welcoming neighbors and businesses, encouraging safety, promoting growth by empowering the community. ??? Cooler, Inc. is a climate software company that automates direct climate action for businesses of any size: Cooler automagically calculates the carbon footprint of products, services, and transactions, provides reports and shareable marketing assets so you can let your prospects and customers know of your climate commitment, and the neutralize your carbon emissions by purchasing pollution permits on the public markets, thus denying them to polluters. Get to know these FAB members here ?? https://loom.ly/leZN5eU

If you missed our last webinar with Catalyst Partners, you're not out of luck! View the recap and read how you can stack IRA, ITC and utility incentives to help your small business here: https://lnkd.in/gVGvkdqc #Webinar #WebinarRecap #SustainableBusiness #LocalFirst #Event

Meet the select Local First of West Michigan businesses represented in Crain's Grand Rapids Business's 40 under 40! Congratulations for making it to the 40 Under 40! Shout out to the following for winning: Benjamin Cochran | Supermercado Mexico (Olvera Enterprises) Alexandra Crow | United Bank of Michigan Paola Mendivil | El Granjero Mexican Grill & Grow Elise Bassi Igoe | Rockford Construction We are so excited to see passionate people behind the businesses that are building a People First Economy! To learn more about Crain's 40 Under 40, click the link: https://lnkd.in/gtK4w4x4 #40Under40 #LocalFirst #PeopleFirstEconomy

University of Wisconsin-Madison describes waste management as… ?? Someone who determines how much food is thrown away in a community and how the waste is handled. ?? This year we decided to highlight Wormies! Tune in to Luis, the owner, & Chandler, the Farm Manager, as they share more about what it means to be involved in Waste Management! ???? ?? Nourish Our Community is powered by ?? ?? Michigan Good Food Fund? ?? Fair Food Network #BuyLocal #SupportLocalBreweries #NourishOurCommunity #MichiganFoodEconomy

?? Discover Nourish & Navigate! ?? Step into an exciting morning at Farmhaus Farms this October 15th, 9-11 AM. Together, we'll carve out new paths for our community's food events. Indulge in delicious local treats, connect with passionate individuals, and drive the vision for future programming. Let's cultivate ideas that feed both body and soul. ?? Date: October 15, 9-11 AM ?? Location: Farmhaus Farms Join us and grow the future of local food events! ?? #NourishAndGather #PeopleFirstEconomy

?? The Sustainable Food Center describes a consumer as… Someone taking part in eating and participating within the food cycle by supporting your local eateries, grocery stores, farmers markets, cider mills, bars, and so on and so forth! ???? This year we decided to highlight Fulton Street Market! Tune in to Dana Eardley, the Executive Director, as she shares more about what it means to be a communal space for Consumers! ?? ?? Nourish Our Community is powered by ?? ?? Michigan Good Food Fund ?? Fair Food Network #BuyLocal #SupportLocalBreweries #NourishOurCommunity #MichiganFoodEconomy

Heads up folks! We are bringing back our Holiday Mixer! The holidays are better when we’re together, center our connections and celebrate the spirit of the season - locally, of course! Take an hour or two with your team, come celebrate another great year with your business besties and shop your heart out, all while thinking #LocalFirst.

Congratulations to our Local First member, Hungerford, as they just released their new branding! ???? ?? Our team members, Arick & Kathleen, had the opportunity to witness the ribbon cutting with community stakeholders! ????

?? The Sustainable Food Center describes a Processor as… ?? Someone who handles food where there’s some level of processing, storage, and/or packaging, whether it’s rinsing off freshly pulled carrots ?? and putting them into a CSA box or the multi-step process of transforming wheat ?? from the field into dry cereal packaged in an airtight bag. This year we decided to highlight Farmhaus Farms! ??Tune in to John Behrens, the owner of Farmhaus Cider & Farmhaus Farms, as he shares more about what it means to be a Processor in the community! ???? ?? Nourish Our Community is powered by ?? ?? Michigan Good Food Fund ?? Fair Food Network #BuyLocal #SupportLocalFarms #NourishOurCommunity #MichigandFoodEconomy

The USDA describes a Grower as: an individual or entity involved in the production of food. ???? This can include farmers who cultivate crops, raise livestock, or grow fruits and vegetables. ???? This year we decided to highlight our Local First Member, Fruit Ridge Markets! Tune in to Gordie, a member of the board of Fruit Ridge Economic Agricultural Partners, as he shares more about what it means to be involved with Growers in the community as we tour the Blandford Nature Center! ???? ?? Nourish Our Community is powered by ?? ?? Michigan Good Food Fund ?? Fair Food Network #BuyLocal #SupportLocalFarms #NourishOurCommunity #MichigansFoodEconomy