Public Policy Associates has provided research and strategic consultation services to help clients inform policies to foster economic development, create vibrant communities, develop regional food systems, and improve population health.
In this work, PPA has partnered with public, private, non profit, and philanthropic clients, including small business and health-related statewide associations, and community consortiums. The work is led by PPA President Dr. Paul Elam, a recognized leader in integrating a racial equity lens into evaluation work, and PPA senior project manager Dr. Nancy McCrohan, who brings inter-disciplinary expertise across food systems, public health, community economic development, and workforce development.
Below is a selection of PPA’s healthy communities projects:
Partnered with the Michigan Department of Education to evaluate training provided to school food service professionals. The Michigan Department of Education received a USDA grant to provide training and technical assistance to school food service professionals and other school personnel to enable them to prepare and serve nutritious meals that appeal to children. PPA was … Continued
Partnering with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to enhance investments in nutrition and healthy lifestyle grantmaking. Among the key priorities for the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (Health Fund) is grantmaking in the area of Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles (NHL). PPA was competitively selected by the Health Fund to assess the NHL cluster approach in terms … Continued
Partnering with the Food Bank Council of Michigan to improve access to fresh produce for food insecure Michiganders. The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM), in partnership with six regional food banks, created a statewide pilot focused on improving access to and consumption of fresh produce for low-income residents of Michigan, especially vulnerable seniors and … Continued
Partnering with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation/BC Vision to Promote Equitable and Comprehensive Community Economic Development. BC Vision is an economic development initiative focused on jobs, talent development, and a culture of vitality—and has a transformative vision that Battle Creek becomes a thriving community for people in which there is equitable opportunity for all residents to … Continued
Partnering with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to improve access to fresh produce for food insecure Michiganders. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development manages various USDA-funded competitive grant programs aimed at improving the competitiveness of Michigan-produced specialty crops (fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops). They … Continued