GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The city of Grand Rapids received $500,000 in a state “environmental justice” grant to grow urban gardens so low-income people can save money eating home-grown food.

“The grant will fund efforts to support urban agriculture and extoll the benefits of reduced food costs, improved air quality, healthier food practices, and education to the City’s environmental justice communities,” a city memo stated.

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The grant was awarded by the state’s Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate office and was part of many Environmental Justice Impact grants distributed around the state.

The state said the projects would be done “in parks in neighborhoods with environmental justice concerns.”

Some of the money would be used to improve park infrastructure for watering, storage and other amenities needed to support urban farming.

Grand Rapids has until September 2027 to spend the money.