Solving hunger starts in the field; it starts with farmers, families, and the seeds they plant that feed us all. Our farmers make Michigan the 2nd most agriculturally diverse state in the nation. According to Feeding America, we have approximately 50 million residents who are food insecure nationwide, with approximately 2 million of those people being Michigan residents.
Over 100 Michigan farmers partner with the Food Bank Council of Michigan and our food bank network to ensure families have access to healthy and nutritious food through our MASS [Michigan Agricultural Surplus System] program. MASS funding allows the food banks to purchase the “uglies,”the #2’s, grade B produce – whatever you may call it, from Michigan farmers at a low cost and distribute throughout their pantries. Michigan was the first to have this program and now 38 states have followed in our footsteps. MASS is one of the most successful programs across our food bank network and has an extremely high return on investment.
Tune in for Food First Michigan on WJR Radio this Sunday at 2:00 PM and hear from one of our influential potato farmers, Erwin Styma. Erwin runs Styma Potato Farm, a four generation farm, in Posen, MI. His team ships approximately 1,470,000 pounds of potatoes to the food bank system each season. Erwin discusses the impact that they are striving to make with their fellow Michiganders through the MASS program.
Several United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)programs that were supplying the food bank network with food during the COVID-19 pandemic have since been cut and stopped. There is an exponential shortage of food from USDA, but the lines at the pantries and distributions are long and will be for the foreseeable future.
Solving hunger for children and creating food security for seniors is, and should always remain a nonpartisan issue. Join the movement by keeping #FOODFIRST!

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