The Region IV Area Agency on Aging receives many inquiries about food availability. Here are some resources for those needing food and those seeking fresh fruit and vegetables this summer.
For emergency food assistance, regardless of age, call 211 to find food pantries near you. You will be asked to put in your zip code. Then, just follow the prompts for food assistance.
Some pantries switched to drive-thru or curbside pick-up during the pandemic, but most have remained open and are returning to normal operations.
Feeding America West Michigan is another good resource for emergency food. It facilitates the Mobile Food Pantry, which has distribution days throughout the month in various locations around Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.
Here are some upcoming distribution days and locations, which are subject to change:
- Dowagiac: 4 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St.
- Coloma: 4 p.m. Wednesday, North Berrien Fire Rescue Department, 170 Washington St.
- Galien: 4 p.m. Thursday, Galien Township Hall, 305 Kiley Drive
- Benton Harbor: noon Friday, Brotherhood of All Nations Church of God in Christ, 516 Emery St.
- Benton Harbor: 4 p.m. Aug. 2, Kinexus, 499 W. Main St.
- Sawyer: 3:30 p.m. Aug. 3, Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Road
- Bridgman: 4:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Woodland Shores Baptist Church, 3555 Shawnee Road
- Niles: 11 a.m. Aug. 5, Christian Service Center, 322 Clay St.
- Cassopolis: 11 a.m. Aug. 6, Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road
- Benton Harbor: 1 p.m. Aug. 9, Community Nonprofit Housing Corp., 870 Nate Wells Drive
- Edwardsburg: 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10, Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road
- Niles: 4 p.m. Aug. 10, Brandywine Middle & High School, 1700 Bell Road
- South Haven: 11 a.m. Aug. 11, First Congregational Church, 651 Phoenix St.
- Cassopolis: 4 p.m. Aug. 12, The Church of Cassopolis, 520 Pearl St.
- Niles: 5 p.m. Aug. 12, Niles High School, 1441 Eagle St.
- Eau Claire: 4 p.m. Aug. 13, Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6562 Naomi Road
For more information about Feeding America’s programs, visit www.feedwm.org or call 926-2646.
Another fresh food source during the summer are farmers markets, many of which allow for people to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. When you use your Bridge Card, Double Up matches your fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day.
The Michigan Farm Market Association reports there are more than 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:
- Benton Harbor: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 15, Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park
- St. Joseph: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 9, Lake Bluff Park on Lake Boulevard (extended hours until 5 p.m. on Sept. 4, 25)
- South Haven: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 9 and Wednesdays through Aug. 25, and 4-7 p.m. Aug. 5, Huron Street Pavilion
- Lawrence: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 9, Village Park
The variety of items will vary week to week, and is dependent on what is in season.
To find other locations, visit www.mifma.org/findafarmersmarket.
Note that days and times could be subject to change in response to COVID-19. It’s strongly advised that you check a market’s social media and/or website or call directly to confirm hours.
As always, we’re also available to answer questions and connect people with resources through our Info Line for Aging and Disability at 800-654-2810.