Community Action House Recognized as 2024 West Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year for Food Rescue Program
October 15, 2024
Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (MiSBF) was proud to recognize Community Action House as a 2024 West Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year honoree for its impactful Lakeshore Food Rescue program. Their 2024 expansion turned excess food into food access in West Michigan.
Working across sectors and behind the scenes, Community Action House collaborates with grocery stores, restaurants, farmers, and local businesses to efficiently redirect good, surplus food away from landfills and into communities.
Through this rapidly growing area of work, Action House demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing both social equity and a healthier environment. Their innovative approach is a model for how organizations can drive positive environmental and social impact – a win-win for food-insecure families and the planet.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized as a Sustainable Business of the Year by the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. All of our work is made possible by a community that believes in and supports our efforts, and we’re grateful for the partners working alongside us to build a stronger, healthier community and planet,” said Krista Burgett, Senior Manager of Lakeshore Food Rescue.
In 2023, Action House’s team of staff and volunteers rescued 2 million pounds of food. As of October 2024, Lakeshore Food Rescue had rescued 2.7 million pounds of food and reached 3.2 million pounds by the end of the year – a 67% increase from 2023. This growing effort helped Community Action House meet increasing rates of food insecurity, while simultaneously decreasing food waste and reducing the environmental impact of wasted food.
The award was presented during the 11th Annual Triple Bottom Line Bash on October 23, 2024, at The High Five Grand Rapids. The event featured an evening of celebration, networking, and a special tribute to MiSBF’s 30th anniversary. Attendees enjoyed a locally sourced dinner and beverages while helping to support MiSBF’s ongoing statewide programming that promotes sustainable business practices across Michigan.
Update 2025: As of January 2025, Community Action House reached 154 total donors and delivered to 64 total agencies, including 15 new agencies within the year.
About Community Action House
Founded in 1969, Community Action House is a Holland-based nonprofit working to build a community where every neighbor has what they need to thrive. By providing Ottawa and Allegan county families with dignified access to essential needs, resource navigation and connection, and financial empowerment, Community Action House helps families build towards stability. From fresh, healthy groceries at Food Club, to a meal at the Community Kitchen, to workshops through Financial Wellness, their highly relational, integrated service pathways facilitate momentum toward a brighter future.
About Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
Michigan Sustainable Business Forum promotes business practices that advance climate leadership, social justice, and the creation of a circular economy. It is Michigan’s leading organization for beyond-compliance sustainability, with a community of practice featuring our region’s most recognizable brands, largest employers, and most innovative entrepreneurs, advocates, and educators.
About Food Waste Reduction
MiSBF led the development of the Michigan Food Waste Policy Roadmap, laying out a stakeholder-driven strategy to halve food waste and loss across the state by 2030. The roadmap emphasizes waste prevention, food rescue, and organics recycling, calling for doubled food donations to hunger-relief agencies and policy incentives, technical assistance, and funding to help businesses and institutions meet these goals