Stories of Change

A series of inspirational stories about the people, places and things that are helping people eat healthy and move more. It is made possible with funding from Michigan Fitness Foundation.

Families enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables at a local farm stand.

The intersection of communities, educators, and food policy councils for just, healthy food systems

A food policy council can influence, improve, or remove barriers in the food system that cause disparities, inequities, poor nutrition, or economic hardships. 

Jake Williams, Gleaners Community Food Bank nutrition education manager, and Bridget Brown, director for Gleaners' Food Secure Livingston program, at Shared Harvest Pantry in Howell.
SNAP-Ed inspires healthy eating in Southeast Michigan food pantries

Gleaners Community Food Bank is working to bolster nutrition security by actively sourcing a variety of fruits and vegetables for food pantries, and by providing nutrition education information for pantry guests. 

Children in the Three Sisters Garden in Buckley.
SNAP-Ed programs grow change in Michigan’s northwestern rural communities

Covering five northern Michigan counties, Northwest Education Services (NES) nutrition educators use a community-based approach that recognizes the unique strengths and challenges of each community they serve.

Signage promoting physical activity in Baldwin.
District Health Department #10 builds healthier communities in 10 Michigan counties

DHD#10 uses a variety of evidence-based programs and approaches to create a broader culture of health through their policies, systems, and environmental change work. 

Signage promoting physical activity in Baldwin.
District Health Department #10 builds healthier communities in 10 Michigan counties

DHD#10 uses a variety of evidence-based programs and approaches to create a broader culture of health through their policies, systems, and environmental change work. 

Students participate in an Apple Crunch Fall Festival facilitated by Traverse City Area Public Schools.
Traverse City Area Public Schools becoming a healthier place to learn

For nearly two decades, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) has delivered SNAP-Ed programming in area schools to encourage students and families to eat more fruits and vegetables and engage in more physical activity.

Students at Flint's Brownell STEM Academy participate in MI Apple Crunch Day.
Genesee County organizations collaborate to create healthy local places

Genesee Intermediate School District and Crim Fitness Foundation are encouraging Genesee County residents to eat healthy and move more, while also addressing barriers to make healthy choices more accessible to county residents. 

Students participate in an Apple Crunch Fall Festival facilitated by Traverse City Area Public Schools.
Traverse City Area Public Schools becoming a healthier place to learn

For nearly two decades, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) has delivered SNAP-Ed programming in area schools to encourage students and families to eat more fruits and vegetables and engage in more physical activity.

Mickenzy Crowder, Tiffany Jackson, Alexandria Rowe, Janiyah Sherrill, Faith Smith, and Xynese Frazier are among the student leaders helping implement Rec-Connect™ physical activity programming in Detroit schools.
Rec-Connect™ empowers Detroit high school student leaders to foster physical activity among peers

Student leaders in the Detroit Public Schools Community District are helping design and implement SNAP-Ed funded Rec-Connect™ programming, which promotes physical activity.

KISD Nutrition Educator Amy Klinkoski at the Kentwood Farmers Market at the Kent District Library's Kentwood branch.
Collaboration with libraries extends Kent ISD’s SNAP-Ed reach

Kent District Library patrons can now nourish their minds and their bodies at the library, thanks to a unique collaboration with the Kent Intermediate School District and Kentwood Farmers Market.

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