Fred Meijer - WKTV Journal

Officials at the ground break ing for the new Kids’ Food Basket headquarters.

By WKTV Staff

Kids’ Food Basket hosted an official naming ceremony and groundbreaking on Wednesday, Oct. 11, officially kick off the construction of the new organization’s home at the former Pickerd Farm, 1919 Leonard St. NE. Founding CEO, Bridget Clark Whitney welcomed more than 100 guests, including community leaders Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman Meijer and Honorary Co-Chair; Joe Jones, 2nd Ward Commissioner City of Grand Rapids and Campaign Cabinet Member; and Dave Hildenbrand, Senator – State of Michigan.

To mark the occasion, the organization unveiled the farm name, Kids’ Food Basket Farm Strengthened by Nutrilite Exclusively by Amway. The name was selected in honor of Nutrilite’s monetary support, volunteer support, and shared methodologies on the farm. A portion of the acreage on the future Kids’ Food Basket site is used to educate youth and adults alike on the immense value of nutrition through innovative programs and experiential learning.

“We are so thankful for the dedication of our community! The Kids’ Food Basket future home will meet both an immediate need and make long term impact. This beautiful, centennial farm has provided a space, in the middle of Grand Rapids, to launch an urban farming and experiential learning program. Here we can put down our roots and directly connect kids experiencing hunger to a greater understanding of healthy food, helping them create healthy habits life-long.,” said Clark Whitney.

A rendering of the proposed Kids’ Food Basket headquarters to be located at 1919 Leonard St. NE.

In the second year working on the chemical-free, sustainable farm, the harvest has yielded more than 10,000 pounds of fresh sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, string beans, tomatillos, and mini bell peppers. In addition, the farm has allowed the opportunity to welcome more than 40 groups, totaling approximately 1,000 youth and adult volunteers. The community has engaged in and learned about food production, tending to crops and preparing produce to go in Sack Suppers.

“We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with Kids’ Food Basket and this new urban farm,” said Michelle Meulendyk of Amway Community Relations. “It has been and will continue to be a way for us to extend the expertise of our Nutrilite farming practices and staff right here in Grand Rapids.”

In addition to the farm, the site will be the home to a new Kids’ Food Basket production facility. Orion Construction will build a 27,000 square foot, two-story building that will house corporate office space and warehouse space on 15-acre site. The building will be constructed using the LEED (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design) framework and upon completion, will be LEED certified. Within the design are elements such as natural light maximization, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, caulks, adhesives, and floor coverings, alternative vehicle considerations, and several other features that provide elements of sustainability. Additional greenhouses and farm-support structures are included in the projects that create on-site learning opportunities.

“Kids’ Food Basket’s future location will allow for expanded nutritional programming and increased access to healthy nourishing food for our community’s children. We’re thankful for the communities continued dedication. We must do more. We are asking our community to rally together and join Kids’ Food Basket’s mission of nourishing kids so they can be their best in school and in life,” Whitney said.

Kids’ Food Basket services in a number of schools in the Greater Grand Rapids area including schools in the Kentwood, Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights and Wyoming Public School Districts.

Active Commute Week returns June 12 – 15 to the Greater Grand Rapids area as many get ready to ride their bikes or take the bus to participate.

The goal of Active Commute Week is to raise awareness about the health, economic and environmental benefits of active travel. The week is a chance for individual participants and teams to earn points for using active transportation, including bicycling, walking, riding The Rapid, carpooling, running, longboarding or inline skating.

Participants fill out a form and are notified through The Rapids when their account is ready. Teams and individuals can track their active transportation online during the week for a chance to win prizes.

Several organizations have signed up to participate such as Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, which will be hosting one of the Bike to Work Day Pit Stops on Fray, June 16. Metro Health will be hosting at the Fred Meijer M-6 trail near Metro Way off of Byron Center Avenue. This is an entrance to Metro Health. For a complete list of Bike to Work Day Pit Stops, click here.

Also Grand Valley State University has joined as a sponsor and will host bike ride with President Thomas J. Haas on Monday, June 12. The ride will be from the center of the Allendale Campus to the Sustainable Agriculture Project on Luce Street.

Participants will meet at the Bill Seidman statue near Mary Idema Pew Library at 4 p.m. Helmets are required, and the Grand Valley Police Department will provide an escort. Refreshments will be served at the SAP and bicyclists can join a guided ride back to campus at 5:30 p.m.

Join the Active Commute Week Committee and the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition for The Handlebar Happy Hour Friday, June 16, at Long Road Distillers, 537 Leonard St. NW. The event takes places from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. The winners of the Active Commute Week Challenge will be announced and prizes awarded. Awards and a raffle will take place at approximately 6:30 p.m. This event is open to everyone.

More information and a list of the week’s events are online at www.acwgr.org. Join social media during the week using #acwgr.