DISCUSS: Your Farm Bureau family’s social mission to end childhood hunger

In 2022, the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies (MFBFoC) adopted the social mission to end childhood hunger in Michigan, now dedicating $1 from every insurance policy to fuel these efforts. We know that feeding families is deeply rooted in our history as a membership organization, and that many of our members have been engaged in this work for years. 

Over the years, the MFBFoC has adopted national campaigns and formed internal programs to further support our members’ hunger-relief efforts. 

Since 2005, Michigan Farm Bureau has participated in AFBF’s Harvest for All competition, which encourages counties and members to work together to purposefully fight hunger. 

In 2018, our agent field force established the Agent Charitable Fund to help end hunger in Michigan and have invested over 1.3 million dollars to hunger-relief programs and projects. 

Our collective efforts allow us to make a large-scale impact on the lived experience of food insecurity across our great state. Interested in fighting hunger in the countryside? We’re here to help!

Follow MFBFoC research efforts on childhood food insecurity in Michigan:

• Check out the Feeding MI Families research study at www.feedingmifamilies.org, which provides insights from Michigan parents about programs like SNAP, WIC and charitable food access. 
• MFBFoC is working with partners at the Lakeshore Food Club to create a Food Club Playbook. Stay tuned for updates at www.michfb.com/endchildhoodhunger to learn more about how to bring this model to your community. 
• Get to know hunger-relief in your community! Visit www.michfb.com/endchildhoodhunger to sign up for a Volunteer Day location near you. Coordinate with a local hunger-relief organization to inquire about their needs or invite them to participate in a county Farm Bureau event.
• Get involved in policy discussions: Michigan Farm Bureau adopted food insecurity policy in 2023 (MFB Policy #18) that aims to fight childhood food insecurity and advance agriculture. Those interested in being part of these conversations on the county or state level should contact their county administrative manager (CAM) for next steps. 

Work with your county Farm Bureau Board or agent to bring hunger-relief dollars back to your community:

• Connect with your county about making a hunger-relief donation in your community. If your county Farm Bureau contributes, ACF can offer a financial match to make your county’s dollars go further. 
• Connect with your local agent about hunger-relief grant opportunities available to schools and nonprofits through the ACF.

Develop solutions that fit your community:

• Work with your agent, county, or community to organize a food collection drive.
• Coordinate a group to volunteer at a local food bank or pantry.
• Do you anticipate having a surplus of commodities? Consider a commodity donation to a local hunger-relief program.
• Facing deer overpopulation issues in your community? Connect with MDNR to organize a deer donation event. 

Questions:

1. How have you seen farmers in your county work to address food insecurity / what opportunities exist in your county (volunteering, gleaning, etc.)?
2. What hunger-relief organizations exist in your county, and what are they doing to ensure an accessible and dignified experience for the families who rely on them. 
3. How can Michigan Farm Bureau best communicate hunger-relief opportunities like ACF grants, volunteer opportunities, fundraising and/or food drive campaigns to your members?
4. How can Michigan Farm Bureau best support you in facilitating collaborative partnerships to fight hunger in your community? 
5. The MFBFoC is actively involved in identifying opportunities to reduce crop damage and deer overpopulation while feeding kids, families, and neighbors in need. 
   1. How is your community working to address hunger and crop damage through venison donation programs? 
   2. Have you experienced challenges or barriers in reaching those in need through venison donation? 
   3. How can the MFBFoC support you in addressing those barriers?

Include your name & CAG affiliation with your responses:

• EMAIL: [email protected]
• MAIL: MFB CAG Responses, ATTN: Ashley Frazee, 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917