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 6,797,668 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.
To see a complete listing of the 2010 FFI Sites with address click here.
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.
2011 FFI DISTRIBUTION SITES:
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
Coldwater- Branch County CA
Union City - (former) American Woodcraft Building M-60
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
Battle Creek - Washington Heights Community House
Hillsdale - Salvation Army
Jackson - Salvation Army, Jackson
Jackson - Parma Elementary School, Parma
Jackson - Arnold Elementary
Jackson - First Church of Nazarene
Kalamazoo- Eastside Neighborhood Association
Kalamazoo - Immanuel Reformed Church
Kalamazoo - Spring Valley Wesleyan 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)
Sturgis- Sturgis Wesleyan Church
Adrian - Salvation Army
2010 FFI DISTRIBUTION RESULTS:
BARRY COUNTY
Orangeville-Delton
Grand total of 83,831 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 654 people each distribution
Freeport United Methodist Church
Grand total of 28,104 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 202 people each distribution
Hastings United Methodist Church, Hastings
Grand total of 52,294 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 646 people each distribution
Local #1002 Union Hall parking lot, Middleville
Grand total of 1,673 lbs. distributed
Served average of 112 people each distribution
United Methodist Church of Nashville, Nashville
Grand total of 51,843 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 416 people each distribution
TOTALS FOR BARRY COUNTY 2010 FFI: 217,745 lbs. of food distributed
BRANCH COUNTY
Branch County CAASCM, Coldwater
Grand total of 90,837 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 497 individuals each distribution.
TOTAL FOR BRANCH COUNTY 2010 FFI: 90,837 lbs. of food distributed
CALHOUN COUNTY
Municipal Market, Albion
Grand total of 82,887 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 226 each distribution.
First Salem Baptist Church, Battle Creek
Grand total of 53,701 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 340 individuals served each distribution
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Battle Creek
Grand total of 45,811 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 302 individuals each distribution
Seventh Day Adventist Church, Battle Creek
Grand total of 67,578 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 480 individuals each distribution
Second Missionary Baptist Church, Battle Creek
Grand total of 58,382 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 429 individuals each distribution
Bedford Manor
Grand total of 38,761 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 50 individuals each distribution
Trinity Lutheran Church, Battle Creek
Grand total of 87,659 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 484 individuals each distribution.
Upton Avenue Original Church of God, Battle Creek
Grand total of 43,677 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 277 individuals each distribution.
TOTAL FOR CALHOUN COUNTY 2010 FFI: 478,456 lbs. of food distributed
JACKSON COUNTY
Salvation Army, Jackson
Grand total of 70,693 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 625 individuals each distribution
TOTAL FOR JACKSON COUNTY 2010 FFI: 70,693 lbs. of food distributed.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY
Eastside Neighborhood Assoc.
Grand total of 61,531 lbs. of food distributed
Serve average of 184 individuals served each distribution.
Immanuel Reformed Church
Grand total of 51,874 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 347 individuals each distribution.
Spring ValleyWesleyan Church
Grand total of 66,275 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 110 individuals each distribution.
TOTAL FOR KALAMAZOO CTY 2010 FFI: 179,680 lbs. of food distributed.
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Sturgis Wesleyan Church
Grand total of 28,278 lbs. of food distributed
Served average of 113 individuals each distribution.
TOTAL FOR ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 2009 FFI: 28,278 lbs. of food distributed.
GRAND TOTAL 2010 FFI DISTRITUTION: 1,065,689 lbs. distributed!
FFI DISTRIBUTION FUNDERS:
Funders for the FFI program in 2010 included: Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo, Post Foods, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Greater Kalamazoo United Way and SEMCO Energy.