RELEASE
Food Pantry Grant Applications Open to Address Food Insecurity in Communities
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
DETROIT, April 21, 2025 – A grant opportunity is now available for Michigan food pantries seeking to expand their infrastructure to address food and nutrition insecurity. United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM), in collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are accepting grant applications for the fourth consecutive year to help local food pantries provide more nutrient-rich, fresh food options. Since the program's inception, 179 organizations in 54 counties have received support.
Food pantries are invited to apply for a refrigeration unit, valued up to $7,000, to improve access to healthy food options like dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Grantees will also receive personalized technical assistance to enhance pantry operations and $250 in dairy match funding to purchase additional eligible dairy products for their community members.
"Food pantries play a vital role in providing individuals and families with access to nutritious food and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the BCBSM Foundation are proud to offer resources to help expand their reach and impact,” said Tiffany Albert, senior vice president of Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. "By investing in food pantries, we can address the immediate needs of our communities and equip pantries with the necessary resources, tools and support to serve those in need for years to come.”
In 2022, Feeding America reported that more than 14 percent of people in Michigan, or one in seven, face food insecurity. Older adults, seniors over the age of 60, are also at risk with a food insecurity rate of 6.5 percent. For children, the situation is worse, with nearly one in six lacking enough to eat and more than 20 counties having 20 percent or more kids without reliable access to healthy food. This shows the urgent need to support young people at risk of hunger.
“When families have consistent access to fresh, nutritious foods like milk, cheese and yogurt, it supports their health, development and well-being,” said Amiee Vondrasek, Health and Wellness senior manager, United Dairy Industry of Michigan. “Through this grant program, we’re proud to partner with organizations across Michigan to ensure food pantries are equipped to provide the dairy foods their communities want and need—especially for children and seniors facing food insecurity.”
“Access to fresh produce is critically important for growing children and families who are making ends meet with fewer resources. Having these basic needs met creates a positive shift in a person’s overall health and well-being. It helps bring them out of survival mode, and that ripples out and allows whole communities to thrive,” said Todd Anderson, market president, Blue Cross Complete.
Grant applications are due June 22, 2025. Applications must be submitted using the online application. Visit the Food Pantry Grant Program webpage for eligibility information and complete grant information and requirements.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 5.2 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBlueDaily.com. For more on the BCBSM Foundation, visit bcbsm.com/foundation.
About Blue Cross Complete of MichiganBlue Cross Complete of Michigan is contracted by the state of Michigan to provide medical services to eligible Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries in 58 counties. Blue Cross Complete of Michigan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit mibluecrosscomplete.com.
About the United Dairy Industry of Michigan
The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) is dedicated to serving Michigan’s hard-working dairy farm families and promoting Michigan’s locally produced dairy products. UDIM is the umbrella organization for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of Michigan. These non-profit organizations provide dairy product promotion and nutrition education services on behalf of their funding members.
