RELEASE
‘Addressing Food and Nutrition Insecurity to Improve Health Equity’ Request for Proposals Now Open
Erica Stamatoulakis
| 3 min read
DETROIT, Aug. 24, 2021 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation have established a collaboration to improve health equity through Michigan’s local food systems. This collaboration invites proposals from Michigan-based local food policy councils and nonprofit organizations seeking funding for evidence-based, sustainable initiatives addressing food and nutrition insecurity. According to a 2021 Feeding America report, in Michigan, 13% of the population is food insecure, compared to 10.9% of people in the U.S. Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. Additionally, there are 25 counties in Michigan where 15% or more of the population is food insecure. The numbers of food-insecure children in Michigan are even higher, and in 12 counties, 20% or more of the children are food-insecure. Food policy councils and nonprofit organizations in collaboration with or with the support of a local food policy council in the Lower Peninsula may apply for a grant to develop and implement a project that addresses food insecurity and limited access to healthy food, along with resulting inequitable and negative health impacts in effective, sustainable ways. Nonprofit organizations in Lower Peninsula areas without an established local food policy council may apply for funding. Initiatives focusing on serving Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals and families, seniors, mothers and children, and Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities in the Lower Peninsula are strongly encouraged to apply. Upper Peninsula food policy councils and nonprofit organizations are eligible for support through the Superior Health Foundation Request for Proposals supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. Grants of $10,000 to $75,000 for 12 months will be awarded. Key application criteria include:
- A demonstrated need and solid plan for addressing food-nutrition insecurity and food equity, improving health outcomes in the selected community
- Incorporation of evidence-based and sustainable approaches and strategies
- Measurable goals and objective as part of a well-developed project plan
For questions, email foundation@bcbsm.com. ### About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 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 and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.6 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 MIBluesPerspectives.com. About the Michigan Health Endowment Fund The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and older adults. The foundation has five annual grant programs. For more information about the Health Fund and its grantmaking, visit mihealthfund.org. About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special attention is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.
