LANSING, Mich. – Representatives from the Michigan Soft Drink Association (MSDA), The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and American Beverage joined Mayor Andy Schor for the presentation of a $175,000 grant to the Grow Lansing program as part of the 2023 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability grant program. “Grow Lansing” was announced as the recipient of a first-place grant award at the USCM winter meeting.  

“Grow Lansing’s mission to provide residents with the knowledge and resources to increase access and availability of fresh food options is something we proudly support,” said Derek Bajema, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Michigan Soft Drink Association. “This exciting investment would not have been possible without Mayor Schor’s leadership and commitment to the people of Lansing. Our member companies are also taking steps to give families healthier choices by offering more options with less sugar. Through that work and impactful public-private partnerships like Grow Lansing we are working together to create a better tomorrow.”

“American Beverage is honored to continue our strong partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors by supporting Grow Lansing, a meaningful program that will make a real difference to address food insecurity," said Kevin Keane, interim president and CEO of American Beverage. "Mayors are on the frontlines of their communities – charged with finding innovative ways to implement positive change. Lansing is a wonderful and thriving community and we appreciate the opportunity to support Mayor Schor’s efforts to make the city even stronger.” 

“Access to fresh vegetables and giving our residents the access to be able to grow them right in our community is incredibly important. When kids go to school or go to a community garden and get some seeds, plant them, water and make sure that things grow and then eat it, they understand that there’s a sustainability aspect. Thank you to the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, Michigan Soft Drink Association, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors for supporting these efforts to keep future generations of Lansing residents healthier,” said Mayor Andy Schor.

“Thanks to our years-long partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, the Conference has been able to invest in cities as they work to address their most pressing health and environmental needs. We are proud to support Mayor Schor’s work as he continues to find new and innovative ways to make his community stronger, healthier and more vibrant,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors.    

“Grow Lansing” is a community-driven effort to fight food insecurity through a series of mini-grants to help residents dismantle food deserts and gain access to nutritious foods by developing local farms, farmers markets and community gardens. 

Lansing is one of eight cities that received awards from USCM and American Beverage, through its foundation American Beverage for a Healthy American (ABFHA), as part of the 2023 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards. This public-private partnership, now entering its second decade, is part of the beverage industry’s commitment to help address health inequity and environmental sustainability issues. The award is in addition to the Michigan Soft Drink Association’s recent $1.5 million investments in nine Michigan communities to improve recycling as part of the beverage industry’s Every Bottle Back initiative. 

 

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