Food & Nutrition Coalition

Purpose

To ensure that all people of Kent County have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.

Facts

• The Kent County Department of Human Services Food Assistance Program (FAP or “food stamp”) ended 2010 with 55,803 cases, up 19% from 2009.

• The Access Pantry Network provided 80,488 food services to 16,904 households in Kent County in 2010, down 11.9% from 2009. This is the first decrease in demand for pantry food services in over a decade.

• Over 9.4 million pounds of food were distributed in Kent County, 7.7 million through Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank and 1.7 million in commodities from ACSET.

2010-2011 Accomplishments

• Completed a new strategic plan, outlining priorities and goals for the next three to five years.

• Instituted annual agency survey and planned for a community food “report card.”

• Provided food safety, sanitation, and security training for food pantry staff and volunteers.

• Worked with local agencies and funders to better coordinate FAP outreach and expand low-income households’ access to fresh produce.

• Continued to engage in local and state-wide conversations on food security, nutrition, and other food system issues, while expanding connections with the public to increase awareness.

2011-2012 Agenda

• Further develop tools to assess food insecurity and community response; improve quality and quantity of food available, as needed.

• Coordinate with other projects and agencies to identify gaps in existing data, address “food deserts,” and further expand FAP use and fresh food access.

• Create a “toolbox” of food assistance and other supportive services information for community use.

• Empower all Kent County households with coordinated nutrition education offerings.

• Continue to strengthen Food Subcommittee membership, ties with policy organizations and communication to the public; secure funding for ongoing staff support to advance these goals.

Media

October 12, 2010
ENTF Schedules Community Town Hall Meeting

March 9, 2009
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Awards Grant for Food Security Coordinator

Contact

Michael Merren, Food & Nutrition Coalition Chairperson
info@foodandnutritioncoalition.org

David Schroeder, ENTF Management Consultant
dschroeder@hwmuw.org
Phone: 616-752-8642