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Helping community members access fresh, healthy food: Grants awarded to 33 Michigan food pantries
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM), Blue Cross Complete of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation today announced they’re providing $242,000 in grant funding to increase the capacity of local food pantries to provide fresh food options that require refrigeration. Community members visiting these pantries will have improved access to nutrient-rich fresh food options that require refrigeration, such as dairy products, fruit and vegetables. Thirty-three food pantries will receive a refrigeration unit valued up to $7,000, personalized technical assistance to enhance pantry operations, nutrition education support and $250 in funding for the purchase of dairy food for their pantries.
Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study reports Michigan’s food insecure population totaled at 1.4 million people in 2022. Among seniors 60 and older in the state, nearly 168,000 were food insecure. Nearly every food pantry awarded serves seniors and almost half serve veterans. A Military Support Programming Surveyshows one in five military and veteran families experience food insecurity across the U.S. – 44% of awarded pantries report serving the veteran population. These are just two of several population groups facing higher rates of hunger and food insecurity.
The food pantries receiving grants are located across 21 counties and serve more than 16,000 Michigan residents monthly. Since 2022, the Food Pantry Grant program has reached 54 counties across the state and this year’s grants reached pantries in six new counties: Bay, Iosco, Lapeer, Manistee, Midland and Montcalm.
“Blue Cross is honored to be working with our partners to increase access to healthy and nutritious foods for communities across Michigan for the third consecutive year,” said Ken Hayward, vice president and special assistant to the president for Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “We’re committed to collaborating with partners across the state to achieve our goal of reducing health disparities and helping families and communities thrive, and our Food Pantry grant program does just that. These grant funds not only address a key social determinant of health, but ensure pantries will have a lasting impact, serving those in need for years to come.”
“The Food Pantry Grant Program continues to make a huge impact on many lives by giving access to healthy foods, including milk and other nutritious dairy products. UDIM is proud to be a part of this ongoing initiative to help overcome nutrition insecurity in our Michigan communities. Our strong partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan allows us to expand our reach and impact,” said Cortney Freeland, vice president of Strategic Partnerships at the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
“Regular access to fresh, nutritious food leads to improved health outcomes and helps individuals and families thrive. With a focus on improving health-related social needs for our members, Blue Cross Complete is honored to join with committed partners to support the food pantry program. Congratulations to the food pantry recipients. Your work to provide dependable, refrigerated food for seniors, veterans and other population groups is critical to our Michigan communities,” said Todd Anderson, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan market president.
“All Michiganders should have the opportunity to access fresh foods to maintain their overall health and we’re honored to be part of the solution to food insecurity,” said Audrey Harvey, executive director and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. “The partners that make this program possible are truly a powerhouse group and together we’re providing local organizations tools to expand services to those who need it most.”
For a complete list of Michigan food pantries receiving an award from the Food Pantry Grant Program, click here.
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 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for more than 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. 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 Michigan
Blue Cross Complete of Michigan is contracted by the state of Michigan to provide medical services to eligible Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries in 32 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.
