NW Michigan Food and Farming Network Report to the Community 2015 Report to the Community

2015 Report to the community Manistee Community Kitchen Battles Hunger, Obesity Program offers training to low-income families By Brandon Seng Goodwill Industries The Manistee Community Kitchen is a nonprofit organization working to end hunger and obesity in Manistee County. The Kitchen provides training and support for low-income families so that they can increase their access to fresh produce, and convert that produce into healthy and delicious meals. Despite having some of the most diverse crop production of anywhere in the nation, 80.4 percent of Manistee County residents report inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. The Manistee Community Kitchen understands that produce growing locally can solve this problem, and provide healthy foods to the hands and mouths that need it. The Kitchen operates three primary programs to build the local food movement in Manistee County. The Iron Works Café is an initiative in Manistee’s downtown that provides a The Manistee Community Kitchen’s Iron Works Café offers an innovative local community meeting space and inno- foods menu. (Photo: Manistee Community Kitchen) vative local foods menu. The ManThe Manistee Community Kitchen need. The Manistee Farmer’s Market istee Community Gardens provide takes place every Saturday during the relies heavily on engagement of many a space for individuals of all ability community partners and farms. levels to get their hands dirty growing growing season on Memorial Drive www.ManisteeKitchen.org in Manistee. food for their family and families in Despite having some of the most diverse crop production of anywhere in the nation, 80.4 percent of Manistee County residents report inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. 12

NW Michigan Food and Farming Network Report to the Community 2015 Report to the Community | Page 17