The Berrien Community Foundation has received a $140,000 grant to help establish a new community nutrition hub that connects healthcare providers, food organizations, and farmers with those in need.
Dr. Sarah Gendernalik is the coordinator of the Southwest Michigan Food is Health Collaborative and tells us they’re seeking to help those with special dietary needs and those facing food insecurity.
“We know that there is a great intersection between those two conditions, and we also know that healthier food can really improve health outcomes when addressing these two conditions together,” Gendernalik said.
Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan will serve as the anchor agency for the project. Gendernalik says they recently launched a program to deliver meals to those with specific medical needs, something that drives 85% of healthcare spending in the United States.
In the coming months, partners in the initiative will design a working model for the hub with a key component being a “farm to healthcare” pipeline, connecting locally grown food with residents who need it most.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Berrien Community Foundation, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan, SBG Health Strategies, and other partners in the Southwest Michigan Food is Health Collaborative.