FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is moving forward with its Northern Expansion Project to strengthen food access across rural and underserved communities in northern Michigan, where food insecurity rates exceed 17 percent.
According to a Facebook post, the Food Bank is developing a new satellite warehouse in Gaylord, with groundbreaking scheduled for this summer. In partnership with Feeding America West Michigan, the facility will expand distribution capacity and extend service into the Upper Peninsula.
The new warehouse will improve delivery efficiency, reduce food waste and strengthen collaboration with local farmers and partner agencies. The project aims to build a more resilient and equitable food distribution network for families across Michigan.
The Food Bank says many families in the area face significant challenges, including limited transportation, long distances to food resources and insufficient storage for perishable items. These factors make consistent access to nutritious food especially difficult.
Community, corporate and philanthropic partners are supporting the expansion. These include Enbridge, Carls Foundation, Feeding America, the office of Elissa Slotkin, USDA Rural Development Community Project Funding, Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan, the Mackey Family, Consumers Energy Foundation, Towsley Foundation, Allen Foundation, Besser Foundation, Priority Health, Lions Club members, Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and Lions Clubs International Foundation.
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