NUTRITION &
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

To enhance community health and well-being in Missaukee County, the Missaukee Conservation District will transform an 80-acre land gift into the Jamieson Nature Education Center, featuring ADA-accessible trails and natural play areas. The project prioritizes community input and collaboration, addressing gaps in local recreational infrastructure to better serve individuals with disabilities, older adults, and youth, promoting physical activity, environmental education, and social inclusion.

ID: 2403-153806

To improve breastfeeding rates and address disparities in infant nutrition among Black families in Kent County, the BeLatched program led by Strong Beginnings will employ Black lactation specialists trained in culturally appropriate nutrition education. The initiative aims to help parents reach their infant feeding goals, improve breastfeeding outcomes, enhance family engagement, and promote healthy nutrition with support from local healthcare and community partners.

ID: 2404-154067

To improve food security across Michigan, Groundwork Center will collaborate with local farmers and food providers to increase the availability of nutritious food at 50 community sites statewide. This initiative will provide tailored technical assistance, empowering each site to address specific nutrition and food access challenges, enabling them to overcome barriers to healthy food access, ultimately strengthening the state’s food system.

ID: 2405-154168

To support the physical and social well-being of people with disabilities, Mary Free Bed will expand its inclusive sports programs, including Goalball, Wheelchair Lacrosse, and a Junior Limb Difference Sports Camp, making them permanent offerings under their Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program. The initiative will leverage strong community partnerships to provide specialized coaching, adaptive equipment, and sustainable opportunities for engagement in sports, fostering an inclusive and active community.

ID: 2405-154125

To address food insecurity and improve food systems in Muskegon County, the Lakeshore Flavor partnership will establish the Muskegon Food Policy Council. This initiative will provide culturally relevant nutrition education, prioritize urban farming, and enhance community-based food distribution, with collaboration from 16 local organizations and strong community engagement.

ID: 2405-154174

To empower Ypsilanti youth and address diet-related health disparities, Growing Hope’s Teen Leadership Program will engage teens in urban farming, cooking workshops, and leadership training. This initiative aims to build food justice leaders by equipping teens with leadership skills, academic experience, and the ability to advocate for healthier food access while fostering intergenerational connections and contributing to local food systems.

ID: 2405-154154

To create a more connected and walkable community in the City of Burton, the non-motorized trails project will design nine miles of trails linking underserved neighborhoods to schools, parks, grocery stores, and other essential services. This initiative will enhance access to daily physical activity and improve transportation options for residents.

ID: 2405-154178

To address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will support Medicaid Health Plans in offering nutrition-related services as part of their coverage. By enhancing the capacity of community-based food providers through targeted funding and technical assistance, this initiative aims to equip nutrition providers with the necessary tools and training to effectively serve an expanded population, ultimately reducing healthcare costs associated with food insecurity.

ID: 2404-153829

To enhance access to nutritious food and promote sustainability in Muskegon County schools, the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District will establish a local food consortium, integrate food literacy into classrooms, and develop student leadership through project-based learning. The project will establish “Muskegon-made”, a scalable initiative focused on producing healthy, student-driven cafeteria meals while fostering long-term collaboration with local growers and food experts.

ID: 2403-153750

To reduce food waste and improve food security in Michigan, the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will lead the development of a coordinated strategy and coalition to double food donations across the state and reduce food loss and waste This initiative will engage over 200 stakeholders from the food system, including food banks and relief agencies, to enhance capacity, raise awareness, and develop strategies that benefit communities facing hunger and food insecurity.

ID: 2405-154237

To increase engagement and improve health outcomes among Detroit’s youth aged 15-24, the Detroit Parks Coalition will establish a Youth Council where young leaders will serve as park ambassadors, organizing events and promoting park usage through peer-led outreach. This project aims to improve physical and mental health by empowering youth to design and lead programming, mentorship, and community-driven events, ensuring that the parks better serve the needs of younger residents.

ID: 2405-154156

To address food insecurity and chronic disease in Battle Creek’s underserved neighborhoods, Farmacy 2.0 will transform its pop-up market into a permanent, community-led corner store, supplied by local farmers that prioritizes local food sourcing and health education. This initiative will strengthen the community’s voice through leadership development, increase access to fresh produce, maximize food benefit redemptions, and foster broader community collaboration.

ID: 2404-153958

To improve access to nutrition and physical activity services in Iosco County, Tawas Wellness Warriors will provide a range of programs, including balance seminars, chair yoga, and after-school activities, serving children, youth, and older adults. The initiative will enhance community wellness by offering evidence-based fitness classes, hosting weekly Community Suppers that promote healthier eating and social engagement, supported by the Iosco County Commission on Aging and local partners.

ID: 2405-154108

To address high rates of nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity in Michigan’s Tribal communities, the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (ITCM) will expand the Food Farmacy program to seven Tribes, providing culturally appropriate produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and enhanced food access through Tribal health centers. This initiative will enhance food sovereignty, increase access to fresh and traditional foods, strengthen community collaboration, and support advocacy for state and Tribal policy changes to ensure long-term program sustainability.

ID: 2404-153828

To improve food access in rural northeast lower Michigan, the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MiHIA) will establish a Healthy Food for Northeast Michigan Health network, engaging 25 organizations to enhance coordination and expand access to healthy, locally produced foods. This initiative will support farmers, increase market sites at senior centers and health centers, and build capacity for farm-to-school programs, benefiting residents and schools across the region.

ID: 2404-153868

This project aims to reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes for underserved families in Detroit and Pontiac through education, family engagement, and community partnerships. The program focuses on multi-generational participation, offering nutrition education, access to healthy foods, and interactive activities to promote long-term healthy behaviors across entire family units.

ID: 2404-153917

To improve health and access to essential services in Imlay City, the Pathway Extension Project will design and plan four new, connected pathways that enhance non-motorized travel options for residents. This initiative aims to create safe walking routes that connect residents, particularly those facing socioeconomic challenges, to healthy food, recreational opportunities, and daily necessities, improving health outcomes for the entire community.

ID: 2405-154133

To increase participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and improve access to nutritious meals for children across the state, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) will conduct a study to identify barriers faced by childcare providers, particularly unlisted home-based caregivers, preventing their participation in the program. The initiative will engage the community to develop policy and programmatic recommendations that enhance CACFP enrollment, thereby improving food security and strengthening financial resources for childcare providers.

ID: 2405-154190

To bridge health disparities and enhance access to outdoor recreation, the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance will develop a comprehensive statewide trail network plan, MI Trails 2050, with a focus on underserved communities. This initiative will engage diverse stakeholders, including local governments and community organizations, to ensure trails are integrated into regional plans, supported by sustainable funding, and accessible to all Michigan residents.

ID: 2405-154184

To improve food access and nutrition for young children in early care and education (ECE) settings across Michigan, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan will strengthen the Michigan Farm-to-ECE-Network by connecting ECE providers with local farmers and enhancing their nutrition knowledge. This initiative will support ECE providers in utilizing state and federal programs to provide children with nutritious, locally sourced food while expanding the network to include more food producers and suppliers.

ID: 2404-153892

To increase access to nutritious food for children, seniors, and families in Michigan, the West Michigan Food Processing Association will develop a strategy to expand institutional sourcing from local growers, including small and minority-owned farms. This initiative will connect farmers with new markets such as schools, senior centers and retail settings, while gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders to ensure broad community and industry engagement.

ID: 2404-153809

To improve pedestrian safety and access to health care in Onaway, the Onaway M-68/M-33 Sidewalk Project will design a 1,500-foot ADA-compliant sidewalk connecting residents to the Thunder Bay Health Clinic and Awakon Park. This initiative will address transportation gaps, especially for older adults and those without vehicles, ensuring safer, more reliable pathways for accessing health care and promoting physical activity.

ID: 2404-154055

To improve health outcomes and community connectivity in Manistee County, Onekama Township will lead the design of a community walking and biking path to increase access to safe outdoor recreation and essential services. This initiative, supported by extensive community engagement and collaboration with local organizations, aims to address health disparities and enhance quality of life for residents through a well-designed and inclusive planning process.

ID: 2405-154207

To address the growing concern over road safety and limited non-motorized transportation options in Peninsula Township, this project will engage the community in developing a detailed plan to connect existing and new trails to create safer, more connected routes for pedestrians and cyclists. The plan will prioritize safer travel routes, enhance regional connectivity, and provide a strategic framework for future infrastructure funding.

ID: 2404-154005

To enhance food security and improve health outcomes in Michigan, the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) will strengthen Produce Prescription (PPR) programs by developing a strategic plan for a technical assistance center building capacity among community organizations, increasing collaboration with Medicaid Health Plans, and embedding these services into healthcare payment models. This initiative will empower community organizations to better navigate Medicaid guidelines, enhancing their ability to deliver impactful food-based health interventions.

ID: 2405-154393

To improve local food systems and increase food security, Lakeshore Food Club will develop a regional food hub, a network that facilitates processing, storage, and distribution of locally grown produce. This initiative will engage community members through advisory boards, and surveys, ensuring a sustainable and efficient food system that meets local needs and provides nutritious food options for families.

ID: 2405-154142

To ensure equitable access to active transportation funding in underserved rural communities, the West Michigan Trails initiative will streamline the planning and pre-development process for trail projects in an 18-county region. By supporting the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail and Van-Cass Heritage Trail, this initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity, encourage sustainable physical activity, and secure long-term funding for critical infrastructure improvements that promote health and connectivity.

ID: 2404-153939

To address disparities in youth physical activity, InPACT will expand its successful school-based program by incorporating brief, daily exercise sessions into the school day, and providing comprehensive support to teachers and health coordinators. The initiative will also engage key stakeholders in developing statewide strategies, digitizing resources, ensuring long-term sustainability and broader implementation in schools across Michigan.

ID: 2404-154026

To improve access to essential services and enhance overall well-being in Central Lake and surrounding townships, a nonmotorized trail will be developed to provide safe and accessible pathways for walking and cycling. This initiative will connect residents, including those facing economic hardship, to medical services, parks, and community resources, while promoting community engagement and reducing reliance on unpaved, hazardous roadways.

ID: 2404-153959