Building sustainable practices into everyday life can seem daunting at first, but in reality, small changes can make a big difference. Enter the A2Zero Community Cookbook: a unique initiative by Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations. The cookbook will help residents whip up plant-rich meals, reduce food waste and embrace local ingredients — all while supporting the city’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
What is A2Zero?
“The city of Ann Arbor has a goal of complete community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030,” Sustainability Coordinator for Food Azella Markgraf said. “This plan, called A2Zero, is our just and equitable transition to that goal.” A2Zero’s wide-reaching strategies cover everything from energy and transportation to the circular economy, where food takes center stage.
Why a cookbook?
A push for sustainable eating is central to the circular economy strategy. “Transitioning to a more plant-rich diet and reducing food waste are crucial parts of lowering the carbon footprint of our food system,” Markgraf shared. But don’t worry — this isn’t about enforcing a “go-vegan-or-go-home” mentality. Instead, it’s about progress, not perfection. “We’re encouraging folks to incorporate more low-carbon, plant-based foods over time,” she said.
Community participation
Residents can contribute by submitting their own recipes, offering tips for reducing food waste and nominating community food leaders. “The submissions portal is open through February 1, 2025,” said Markgraf. “Anyone connected to Ann Arbor, whether you’re a resident, work here, or have another personal tie to the city, can submit a recipe.” Recipes don’t have to be strictly plant-based, but preference is given to dishes that prioritize plant-forward ingredients. Those who don’t have a recipe to share can submit tips, such as clever ways to use up garden vegetables or strategies for keeping greens fresh longer. The goal is to showcase the diversity of approaches that make sustainability accessible to all.
“We’ve seen submissions from chefs at local restaurants who are already at the forefront of sustainable cooking, as well as passionate home cooks who’ve supported local farmers for years,” Markgraf said. “It’s exciting to see how people, whether professionals or hobbyists, are transforming ingredients into something special.”
The cookbook aims to feature around 50 recipes in its final print edition, possibly including additional recipes in a digital version. Beyond recipes, the book will highlight personal stories from community food leaders — farmers, chefs and gardeners who exemplify sustainability in action. “We’re encouraging people to share not just recipes but also the stories behind them,” said Markgraf. “Maybe it’s a dish passed down from a grandmother or one that reflects someone’s journey toward eating sustainably. These personal connections make the cookbook truly unique.”
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Accessible & free
The cookbook will be available digitally online and a limited number of print editions will also be available. All versions will be 100% free to ensure no one misses out.
“We want this cookbook to fit into people’s lifestyles and budgets,” said Markgraf. “It’s about flexibility — finding what works for you while making choices that align with sustainability.”
Sustainability for everyone
Markgraf is quick to point out that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable eating. “Sustainability has to work for the planet, but it also has to work within your lifestyle,” she explained. For some, that might mean reducing meat consumption. For others, it’s about buying local or cutting back on food waste. “Everyone can find their place within our sustainable food movement,” she emphasized.
What’s next?
As for the timeline, the cookbook is slated for release in early fall 2025, with a potential debut at the city’s annual Local Food Festival in September. This celebration of Michigan food and farming will offer tastings, demonstrations, and, of course, the chance to pick up the cookbook.
“If this first cookbook is well received, we may consider complementary projects in the future,” said Markgraf. Cooking classes or additional editions of the cookbook could be on the horizon, depending on how the community engages with this initial effort.
“There’s something in this cookbook for everyone,” said Markgraf. “…we hope it inspires people to make small changes that add up to a big impact.”