Kids Food Basket

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO BUILD UPON CURRENT EFFORTS FOCUSED ONIMPROVING FOOD SECURITY, NUTRITION EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING IN MUSKEGON COUNTY, FOCUSING PARTICULARLY ON YOUTH RESIDING WITHIN FEDERAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES. THE INITIATIVE WILL INVOLVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OVER 20 COMMUNITY GARDEN SPACES AND GREENHOUSES IN UNDERSERVED AREAS, WITH THE GOAL OF FOSTERING GREATER ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE.KIDS' FOOD BASKET WILL PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE IN THIS ENDEAVOR, LEADING EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE MUSKEGON LAKESHORE. TOGETHER, THEY WILL ENGAGE APPROXIMATELY 400 YOUTH AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB'S CENTRAL LOCATION, AS WELL AS 600 YOUTH AT TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS SERVING AS ADDITIONAL PROGRAM SITES.PARTICIPATING YOUTH WILL RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE EDUCATION, ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN PLANTING, TENDING, AND HARVESTING PRODUCE FOR USE IN COMMUNITY MEALS, SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONALLY, THEY WILL GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN GREENHOUSE GROWING, ENABLING CONTINUED ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD DURING MICHIGAN'S WINTER MONTHS.A KEY COMPONENT OF THE PROJECT INVOLVES EMPOWERING YOUTH TO LEAD A FARM-TO-PLATE EXPERIENCE, UTILIZING LOCALLY HARVESTED INGREDIENTS IN MEALS SERVED AT FAMILY EVENTS HOSTED BY THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. FURTHERMORE, KIDS' FOOD BASKET WILL DISTRIBUTE SEASONAL PRODUCE BOXES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON, FURTHER ENHANCING ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.BY ENGAGING YOUTH IN MEANINGFUL EDUCATIONAL AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES CENTERED AROUND FOOD PRODUCTION AND NUTRITION, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO FOSTER HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES, AND MITIGATE FOOD INSECURITY IN MUSKEGON COUNTY.

CN FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.