Food Security
Why We Care:
Food security means having physical, social and economic access to healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food, according to MSU Extension Service. Over 20% of northern Michigan families experience food insecurity or a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. In Leelanau County, according to United Way, about 8% of households live in poverty and about 20% of households are listed as asset limited, income constrained, employed (ALICE).
Many organizations are working to increase food security in Leelanau County. Food pantries include Leelanau Christian Neighbors open on Mondays, Empire Pantry open on Tuesdays and the Grand Traverse Band closed now during the Covid pandemic.
Farm to School programs inspired through Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities include all the county school districts applying and receiving a statewide grant, Ten Cents A Meal, to bring locally grown vegetables and fruit into school meals. Groundwork Center has recently created a coordinator position to assist with nutrition and local foods for school programs.
Northwest Michigan Food Coalition works with food pantries in six counties including Leelanau to coordinate and create resources to achieve regular food security. For example, their Farm2Neighbor program purchases fresh vegetables and fruit from local farmers and distributes it to local food pantries.
In Leelanau County seniors have access to meals through Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency for home delivered meals, Meals on Wheels or congregate meal sites/curbside pickup. These services provided over 11,800 meals last year in our county.
Our Big Goal:
Eliminate food insecurity in our county.
Take Action:
Volunteer at food pantries, at Farm to School programs, at Farm2Neighbor programs.
Assist with office work.
Donate financial gifts or food.
Support legislation with advocacy for current and new programs.
Create interest and energy in local food.