News

Meet Melissa Miles, a champion for change June 13, 2025 Melissa knows firsthand how poverty and addiction can fuel food insecurity and increase crime. Now sober, she is a certified recovery coach and volunteer for the Hillsdale County court as an advocate and sponsor for those facing legal challenges and incarceration for addiction-related offenses. Her [...]

Rec-Connect™ makes fitness fun for everyone August 30, 2023 Summary: Across Michigan, Michigan Fitness Foundation’s (MFF) Rec-Connect™ demonstration series is being used in communities to inspire and empower people to engage regularly in physical activity. Challenge: People may be interested in increasing their physical activity, but simultaneously be unsure what physical activity is best for [...]

Henry Ford Health SNAP-Ed collaborations creating healthy change July 31, 2023 Summary: From creating free farm stands in Detroit to promoting healthier drinking water in the Jackson area, the Henry Ford Health (HFH) initiative Generation with Promise (GWP) is supporting healthier families and communities across Michigan. Challenge: Many Detroit residents have little or no access [...]

Gardens growing change in Flint June 30, 2023 Summary: Residents of senior centers in the Flint area are enjoying growing their own food in community gardens and participating in fun physical activity programming, thanks to the efforts of the Greater Flint Health Coalition (GFHC). Challenge: Many senior centers in the Flint area have a need [...]

Detroit Public Schools Community District Farm-to-School initiatives grow through SNAP-Ed May 31, 2023 Summary: Detroit students, teachers, and families are growing their own fruits, vegetables, and edible flowers in school gardens thanks to the work of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Farm-to-School initiative. Challenge: Many Detroit residents have little or no access to [...]

NorthWest Initiative collaborates with community to create a healthier Lansing May 15, 2023 Summary: Residents of Lansing are enjoying healthier children’s drink options at local restaurants thanks to the nonprofit NorthWest Initiative’s (NWI) collaboration with the Sugar Smart Coalition (SSC). Challenge: Children’s drink options in restaurants may often include sugar-filled sodas, or “juice” options that [...]

Battle Creek Family YMCA changes palates one vegetable at a time June 24, 2022 Summary: Residents of Battle Creek have access to several SNAP-Ed programs to help them access fresh, healthy food, ranging from friendly “Food Navigators” at their local farmers market to healthy produce bags for students. Challenge: Lack of access to fresh fruits [...]

Kitchen classroom empowers young chefs to pursue healthy choices in Kalamazoo February 2, 2022 Summary: In Michigan, Kalamazoo area Middle schoolers are learning how to eat better and cook for themselves through The Learning Kitchen (TLK), a hands-on cooking and nutrition education program. TLK is designed to educate youth about the MyPlate food guidance system [...]

New project encourages Baldwin and Ludington residents to get active in their own neighborhoods January 15, 2021 Summary: New wayfinding signs in two northwestern lower Michigan communities are encouraging public housing residents to get out and walk routes in their neighborhoods, as part of a greater effort to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles. In [...]

CrimFit Nutrition Program brings exercise and nutrition education to thousands of Flint kids at home August 15, 2020 Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, students and their parents in Flint, MI, are learning how to eat healthy and exercise through a series of online video lessons and safe, socially-distanced outdoor activities. Challenge: Many Flint residents have [...]

SNAP-Ed program helps Detroit seniors improve dietary and fitness habits August 12, 2020 Summary: Detroit seniors are learning how to eat healthier and be more physically active through the SNAP-Ed program Fresh Conversations, a series of 60-minute programs that engage seniors in friendly dialogue about their health. Challenge: Detroit residents face many challenges to healthy [...]