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Food Bank Council of Michigan | Budget Line Item Essential for State Food Banks, Service Expansion

Michigan Business Network
June 28, 2022 8:00 AM

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$50M addresses infrastructure, transportation costs & food prices 

LANSING, Mich. – During the pandemic, the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) and its seven regional food banks filled in the gap for thousands of residents facing food insecurity. Now, the food banks urgently seek the state’s support as transportation and food costs skyrocket along with the demand for emergency food.

                  The solution lies in a $50 million line item in the 2022-23 state budget to support the food bank network’s work. Specifically, the funds will help increase infrastructure to better service Michigan’s northern counties and Upper Peninsula while decreasing transportation expenses. The one-time allocation also covers a Hunger Study to give Michigan the data needed to align federal, state and commodity programs to meet residents’ needs.

                   In addition, a $15 million provision in Senate Bill 885 creates a Michigan-style, farm-to-family food box program. The food bank network can administer the program immediately upon the bill’s passage and signature by the governor.

                   “The Food Bank Council and its members were here for Michigan during the pandemic to address the unprecedented need for emergency food,” said Dr. Phil Knight, FBCM executive director. “We did so by increasing distributions by an incredible 47%. Michigan put its trust in the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s network when it needed us most, and now we need the state’s support to most effectively address food insecurity.”

                   Currently, Michigan food banks are moving twice as many truckloads of food compared to before the pandemic. At the same time, transportation costs are up 20% in the past year alone coupled with rising food costs.

Record inflation means the FBCM pays 40% more to keep up with demand across the state. Families, too, face a 14% hike for essential food items such as meat, fish, poultry and eggs.

                   “An inflation rate of over 8% means the families served and food bank donations do not go as far in meeting the gap,” said Knight.

                   Exacerbating the realities facing food insecurity is the anticipation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments ceasing once the public health emergency is lifted later this year. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 60,000 SNAP participants will see benefits reduced to $20 monthly (minimum amount) and another 50,000 participants will have benefits lowered to $50 monthly.

                   For a one-person household, the maximum benefit currently is $250, and many individuals are receiving this amount through emergency allotments. Many of these same individuals stand to see a decrease of $200-plus in benefits with the discontinuation of the allotments.

                   “The result is longer lines at our distributions when food becomes scarcer to us and more expensive. We are preparing now but our trend data is already showing a marked increase in need across our network,” said Knight.

For more information on the Food Bank Council of Michigan, visit www.fbcmich.org.

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Founded in 1984, the Food Bank Council of Michigan was created to implement a unified strategy to address and alleviate hunger statewide. FBCM works with its regional food banks and over 2,800 hunger relief agencies, private companies, farmers, state and federal officials, and other allies to make sure no Michigander goes without food. For more information about the Food Bank Council of Michigan, visit www.fbcmich.org or call 517.485.1202.

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Michigan Business Network is an online broadcasting company that provides knowledge, news, and insights into Michigan’s businesses, industries, and economy.