The Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) recently secured a $150,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. This funding aims to enhance the new Southwest Michigan Food is Health Collaborative. The project connects local food producers with food pantries across the region.
Lisa Cripps-Downey, BCF President, emphasizes the importance of collaboration among healthcare, agriculture, and community groups to improve food access. She pointed out that the recent pause in SNAP benefits underscored the urgent need for such initiatives.
Every month, over 4,500 households in Berrien County rely on more than 30 food pantries. The grant will provide essential resources to kickstart the collaborative’s efforts. Key areas of focus include purchasing local produce and proteins that will directly benefit the pantries, strengthening the regional Nutrition Exchange, and enhancing local food distribution methods.
Cripps-Downey highlighted that more than 23,000 residents in Berrien County are eligible for SNAP benefits, showing how critical this support is. The grant will not only fund food purchases but also educational programs and new software to streamline processes.
This initiative reflects a growing awareness of food equity issues in America. According to recent data from Feeding America, food insecurity affects 10.5% of U.S. households as of 2022. Local responses, like the Southwest Michigan Food is Health Collaborative, are critical in addressing these challenges at the community level.
The collaborative aims to create a strong support network for residents facing hunger, ensuring they have access to healthy food choices. By integrating local agriculture with food distribution, the project hopes to foster a sustainable food ecosystem for the future.
For more details on the initiative, you can visit the Berrien Community Foundation’s website.
