Fresh Food Initiative
The Fresh Food Initiative (FFI) distributions are an effective, efficient way to get fresh produce, dairy products and other grocery items into low-income neighborhoods. Typically, there are 3,000 to 5,000 lbs. of wholesome food, on skids, brought into such neighborhoods from the Food Bank during each FFI drop-off. Working hand-in-hand with volunteer teams, the food is then unloaded, and under the supervision of volunteer crews, distributed to needy residents. Since 1999 more than 7,797,668 lbs. of food have been distributed.
Individuals and groups are welcome to help distribute the food at the various FFI sites, helping to unload, stack and distribute the food items being given away. For details on volunteering at an FFI site, call Tiffany Blackman at the Food Bank: 269-964-3663. If you would like to set up a FFI site, contact Cheryl Proctor at 269-964-3663.
PLEASE NOTE:
With the exception of Middleville, if schools are closed because of bad weather on a day that a FFI food distribution is scheduled to occur, the site will not distribute and their driver will not pick up food, nor will the Food Bank deliver. This policy effects: Barry County (Freeport, Hastings, Orangeville and Nashville), and Kalamazoo County (Douglass and Salvation Army sites).
TO DOWNLOAD A COPY of the DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS flyer (doubling value of Bridge Card/Food Stamps at Farmer's Markets) in English/Espanol, please click here.
2012 FFI DISTRIBUTION SITES:
BARRY COUNTY
Delton/Orangeville- Orangeville Fire Station
Freeport - Freeport United Methodist Church
Hastings - Hastings United Methodist Church
Middleville - E.W. Bliss Local #1002 Union Hall Parking Lot
Nashville - United Methodist Church of Nashville
BRANCH COUNTY
Coldwater- Branch County CA
Union City - (former Harding's store on Broadway)
CALHOUN COUNTY
Albion - Municipal Market
Marshall - Mar-Lee Elementary School
Battle Creek- First Salem Baptist Church
Battle Creek - St. Joseph Catholic Church
Battle Creek - Seventh Day Adventist Tabernacle
Battle Creek - Second Missionary Baptist Church
Battle Creek - Trinity Lutheran Church
Battle Creek - Upton Ave. Original Church of God in Christ
Battle Creek - Bedford Manor
HILLSDALE COUNTY
Hillsdale - Salvation Army
JACKSON COUNTY
Jackson - Salvation Army, Jackson
Jackson - Parma Elementary School, Parma
Jackson - Arnold Elementary
Jackson - First Church of Nazarene
KALAMAZOO COUNTY
Kalamazoo - Immanuel Reformed Church
Kalamazoo - Haven Reformed Church
Kalamazoo - Douglasss Comm. Assoc. (partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes)
Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo Comm.Church (partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes)
Kalamazoo - Salvation Army (partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes)
Kalamazoo - St. Andrews Church (partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes)
Kalamazoo - Vicksburg UMC /South County (partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes)
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Sturgis- Sturgis Wesleyan Church
LENAWEE COUNTY
Adrian - Salvation Army