By Sara Duris
Region IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) receives many inquiries about food availability. Below are some resources for those needing food and those seeking fresh fruit and vegetables this summer.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also referred to as a Bridge card, is Michigan’s food assistance program for low-income individuals and families. This program can be accessed through counties’ Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offices, and through the online application at https://newmibridges.michigan.gov. The Commodity Supplement Food Program (CSFP) is another program. It provides a box of food every month for income-eligible individuals who are 60+ years of age. In Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties, these distribution sites range from area senior centers and churches to township halls and fixed-income apartment complexes. Additionally, the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) distributes a box of food quarterly to any eligible individual or household, regardless of age. To find out more about these programs, and locate a site near you, contact Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency at 269-925-9077.
For emergency food assistance, regardless of age, call 2-1-1 to find food pantries near you. You can also find assistance online at https://mi211.org/food-assistance.
Feeding America West Michigan is another good resource for emergency food pantries and facilitates the Mobile Food Pantry which has distribution days throughout the year in various locations around Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. Many Mobile Food Pantry sites will allow you to pick up food as a proxy (stand-in) for another household that cannot physically attend. You will need to be prepared to provide the name, address and household size of any other family for whom you are taking food. Most Mobile Pantry sites have a limit on how many households you can assist and should tell you that limit if you ask. Following are the upcoming July distribution days and locations, subject to change, so be sure to check with Feeding America West Michigan or the local site. Most of the sites are drive-through pick up, unless otherwise noted:
- Berrien Springs, July 13 at noon, Neighbor to Neighbor, 9147 Old US 31
- Benton Harbor, July 13 at 4 p.m., Michigan Works, 499 W Main St.
- Grand Junction, July 14 at noon, First Congregational Church, 54128 CR 388
- Stevensville, July 15 at 4 p.m., United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road
- Sawyer, July 16 at 3:30 p.m., Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Road
- Baroda, July 17 at 4 p.m., Baroda Bible Church, 9058 Third St.
- Mattawan, July 20 at noon, Antwerp Twp Hall, 24821 Front Ave.
- Niles, July 21 at 3 p.m., Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake St.
- New Troy, July 22 at 4 p.m., New Troy Community Center, 13372 California Road
- St. Joseph, July 23 at 12:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Main St.
- Niles, July 24 at 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1446 E Main St.
- Galien, July 27 at 4 p.m., Galien American Legion, 402 N Main St.
- Vandalia, July 28 at 4 p.m., Church of God, 60825 Walnut St.
- Coloma, July 29 at 4 p.m., (Walk-Up) North Berrien Fire Dept., 170 Washington St.
For more information about Feeding America West Michigan’s programs, you can go to www.feedwm.org or call 616-784-3250.
Another fresh food source during the summer are Farmer’s Markets, many of which allow people to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. When you use your Bridge Card, Double Up matches your Michigan-grown fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day. The Michigan Farm Market Association reports there are over 150 farm markets across Michigan that are certified to accept SNAP benefits such as the Bridge Card, Double Up, WIC and Senior Project FRESH vouchers.
Some of the larger, weekly markets are as follows:
- Benton Harbor, Wednesdays through September, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 127 Pipestone
- St. Joseph, Saturdays through October, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Bluff Park on Lake Blvd.
- Buchanan, Saturdays through October, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 122 Days Avenue
- New Buffalo, Fridays through September, 9-11 a.m., 107 N. Whittaker St
- Three Oaks, Fridays through October, 3-7 p.m., 3 South Elm St
- Cassopolis, Saturdays through November, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 105 N. Broadway St.
- Dowagiac, Saturdays and Wednesdays, through October, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 201 E Division St.
- Lawrence, Saturdays through September, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., 230 E. Saint Joseph St.
- Paw Paw, Sundays through October, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 114 N Gremps St
- South Haven, Saturdays, through Oct. 10, and Wednesdays through Aug. 31, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Huron Street Pavilion.
To find other locations, you can go to www.mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market. It is always a good idea to check a market’s social media/website or call directly to confirm hours.
Region IV AAA, in partnership with Senior Nutrition Services, offer lunches at several locations throughout Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. Home-delivered meals are also available for individuals age 60+ who are unable to participate at a congregate site due to medical reasons. For more information, in Berrien and Van Buren Counties contact Senior Nutrition Services (269-925-0137) and in Cass County call the Cass County Council on Aging at 269-445-8110. As always, Region IV AAA is also available to answer questions and connect individuals with resources through our Info-Line for Aging and Disability at 800-654-2810.
Sara Duris is community information liaison of Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 or visit areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.