Food Security

Economic difficulties have intensified the food security concerns of residents living in the gateway section of Ypsilanti. The Washtenaw County Family Nutrition Program staff is there to help them cope creatively and resourcefully.

Family Nutrition Program (FNP) guidelines are changing, and service to the neediest clients is changing with them. A strong partnership now exists between the Family Independence Agency (FIA), Michigan Works, and the Washtenaw County MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program.

The food security situation in Ypsilanti is not improving, says Joan Miller of Washtenaw County Family Nutrition Program.  We are seeing food stamp applications going up.

The FNP staff does table-top displays at weekly FIA client orientations to raise awareness of Extension services and home-visiting opportunities. FNP staff also offer a monthly class at Michigan Works in smart shopping and nutrition on a budget. Clients learn to stretch food assistance dollars with wise and healthy choices.

Our collaboration with FIA and Michigan Works has increased home visitations. Between two and four new clients enroll in Extension nutritional counseling at each FIA/Work First session. They receive one-on-one education to assist with nutrition and budget issues.

In addition to these services the Family Nutrition Program participates in United States Department of Agriculture quarterly commodity food distributions in Ypsilanti. The FNP instructor provides commodity food-use demonstrations and literature to over 100 participants. Nutrition Instructor Angela Warrington is a former employee of Food Gatherers, a local food rescue/food bank non-profit. Through her efforts, Food Gatherers now participates at the USDA distributions and clients receive perishable fresh food rescue items in addition to commodity foods.

For more information, contact: Joan Miller at MSUE: 734/222-3956