This week Kresge Foundation announced a new initiative – “Fresh, Local & Equitable: Food as a Creative Platform for Neighborhood Revitalization.” They will award up to 20 planning grants of up to $75,000 each in the first quarter of 2016. Planning grants “may support project management, partnership development, community engagement, strategic communications, evaluation, policy development and other activities directly related to successful outcomes.” Grant funds may not be used for capital construction costs, real estate acquisition or the purchase of major equipment.

Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, December 14. To learn more about the initiative and the request for proposal, click here.

At this spring’s annual APA-FIG meeting held at the APA National Conference in Seattle, this question was posed several times by the 25-plus participants in the room. The annual meeting’s agenda was focused on reviewing and providing feedback for the workplans of the four working groups (Policy, Education, Communication and Outreach, and Research) that were just launched the beginning of 2015. It became clear in discussing the goals and action items for each group over the coming year that APA-FIG needed to clarify the group’s overall purpose.

APA-FIG Leadership Team took the question to heart and dedicated time discussing the interest group’s mission and key goals. The mission of FIG is to help build stronger, more sustainable, just, equitable, self-reliant, and resilient community and regional food systems that, through planning practice, are integrated with other community systems, for present and future generations. Our overarching goals are to 1) support the advancement of food systems planning and 2) Strengthen the profession of food systems planning. For more details, click here.

We feel the mission and goals reflect the group’s purpose and will provide guidance in our efforts moving forward. We’re excited for the work and opportunities in the coming year as we continue to build the network. If you’re interested in joining FIG and getting involved with one of our working groups, let us know!