• Alger Community Food System Survey

    This survey is funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and conducted by Alger Conservation District.

  • Hello and thank you for taking your time to provide feedback on your local food system survey! Please read the following before deciding if you'd like to fully complete it. This survey will take approximately 10 -15 minutes. Your participation is entirely voluntary and appreciated! You may skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering, except for which township you are in.

    All answers are anonymous, however if you would like to be contacted about anything in this survey or if you state you would like to volunteer etc., please fill out the contact information section and a district staff member will reach out to you.

    Your responses will help inform us about your experience and strengthen our decision making process as we pursue new programs and long-term planning across Alger County, specific to your townships. We will also be hosting in-person feedback events at various locations in the county from this spring through 2027. 

    You're invited to join those events to provide your feedback in person, ask any questions you have, or receive assistance you want in taking this survey. Events will be announced in our e-newsletter and on local bulletin boards. You may also check our website event calendar at www.algercd.com/event-calendar

  • If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at algerfoodsystem@macd.org

    Thank you!

  • What is a Food System?

    A food system includes all the elements that involve getting food from the farm fields and processing centers to your kitchen table, school cafeteria, restaurants, and more. From the farmers, delivery drivers, grocery store cashiers, and any other profession related to food production. It also includes the consumers of food - you, your family, your children, and every person around you. We all eat! So, keep thinking of where your food comes from, what you know about that, what foods you eat, and where you get them from while you answer the following questions.

  • What is a local food?

    We are also interested in learning about the availability of local foods in Alger County. Local food as used in this survey is defined as food that is grown/produced, processed, and distributed within Alger County.
  • Are you a resident or do you work in the food system of Alger County?*

  • Section 1

    We'd like to understand your role in our food system and your knowledge of our local food systems.
  • What is your primary role in Alger County food systems?
  • What existing local food efforts are you aware of in Alger County?
  • Do you know where to access local food in your area?
  • Do you know where the nearest food pantry is to you?
  • Do you know what kinds of produce you can donate to a food pantry?
  • Do you know how to contact a food pantry to donate food?
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  • How do you usually get to the places where you buy most of your food? (check up to THREE (3))
  • How far from your home is the nearest grocery store, supermarket, or supercenter where you usually buy most of your food? (Choose one using best estimate)
  • Where does your household usually buy food? (choose the tope THREE (3) places)
  • Does anyone in your household get food in any of the following ways, when in season? (choose all that apply)
  • Choose the reasons why you may not participate in any of the activities from the previous question:
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  • Section 2

    We would like to understand your relationship to gardening, growing food, or learning about these subjects
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  • Please choose which best finish the statement: "I grow food on my own property for the following purposes..."
  • Please choose which best finish the statement: "I grow food within a community garden for the following purposes..."
  • I am satisfied with the options we have to grow local food near me (personal property, community gardens, etc. )
  • Thinking of the nearest community / public garden to you from the previous question, choose which best answers the statement: Our community garden could use improvements with the following:
  • Choose the best response/s to the statement: "I think community gardens should be used for..."
  • Which of the following topics would you have an interest in learning more about when it comes to growing your own food?:
  • I am an agricultural producer and find the processing and storage options are limited near me (Skip this question if you are not an agricultural producer)

  • Section 3

    This section is to understand what interest and use there is in assistance programs related to food access.
  • Do you believe your over all health is related to the foods you have access to in your community?
  • Do you know where in your community you can go to find out about programs to help reduce hunger?
  • How do you usually find information about events and programs in your area?
  • Does anyone in your household regularly use any of the following food programs? (choose all that apply)
  • Were you affected by the recent cuts to SNAP benefits?
  • Complete the following statement: I am able to offer assistance to members in my community in need of:
  • Finish the following statement: I require assistance with:
  • Would you volunteer at a local garden or local food system event?
  • Would you participate in a leadership role at a local garden or local food system event?
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  • Section 4

    This section is about yourself. The information below will be kept confidential and summarized; we will never report individual data. You may skip any question you don't wish to answer or choose 'Prefer not to respond'
  • Gender
  • Do you have health care coverage? (Ex: Medicare, employee health insurance, Indian Health Service or tribal health programs)
  • Employment Status
  • What is your living situation?
  • What is the highest-level coursework you've taken?
  • How do you describe yourself? Choose all that apply
  • Which township do you live in?*
  • 2025 Gross Household Income (before taxes)

  • Contact Information

    If you are interested in volunteering, leading, or assisting your community in some way please provide your contact information. Your information will be kept secure and confidential and you may ask us to delete your contact information at any time if you change your mind.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • This survey is specifically for the residents of and workers within Alger County's food system.

    If you are neither of those but would like to provide feedback, insights, or build partnerships that will assist those of our community, feel free to reach out! You can contact us at algerfoodsystem@macd.org

  • THANK YOU!

    You've completed this survey. We appreciate the time you've taken to help us build a strong local food system! Please hit submit.
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