What’s not to like about a little rain?

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For the past few weeks, we’ve been watching the skies.

If you live anywhere in the 5,500 square-mile Grand River watershed, you probably have been too. This spring’s relentless rainfall brought the Grand to record levels, flooding homes and businesses throughout West Michigan. Kent County’s early estimate puts flood damage at $6 million.

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(At one point, we even got a call from a Grand Rapids Press reporter who wanted to make sure the river, which is right in our background, hadn’t spilled into the food bank. We had about five feet of breathing room. No sweat.)

All that rain was also a setback for West Michigan’s farms, including our own fledgling operation.

Matt Hehl, the local farmer and West Michigan Agricultural Education Center board member managing our farm, had planned to start tilling this week. But with the ground so saturated, he feared that any disturbance to the soil could cause erosion. Instead, Hehl is going to hold off on the tilling entirely this year.

Planting should start around Memorial Day. Photos to come.

The Grand River flows about 300 yards south of Eastmanville Farm. During April's intense flooding, that distance got a little bit shorter.

The Grand River flows about 300 yards south of Eastmanville Farm. During April’s intense flooding, that distance got a little bit shorter.

Setting our roots in the Eastmanville soil

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Picture 60,000 seedlings breaching the top soil on a farm in Ottawa County. Then imagine those seedlings growing into six-foot-tall stalks ripe with ears of sweet corn, each one destined for the plate of someone struggling with hunger.

As you read this, that’s exactly what’s happening.

Farm-Eastmanville Barn

In 2012, the West Michigan Agricultural Education Center (WMAEC) donated a portion of its lease on the Eastmanville Farm in Polkton Township, just north of the Grand River, to Feeding America West Michigan. This spring, those three acres will be planted and harvested — with help from WMAEC — by the Food Bank.

Our first crop will be sweet corn. It’s easy to grow, it’s nutritious and it’s something almost everyone knows how to cook.

“The benefit for us is not only that it’s going to be a product that we don’t normally get donated, but we can plan for it,” said food sourcing specialist Katie Auwers. “We can stagger the planting so we can harvest week to week so we know that it’s coming.”

Matt Hehl, a full-time hog and grain farmer and a member of WMAEC, will manage the farm. “I just think it’s a worthwhile cause, and it speaks well of the local farmers and their willingness to give back to the community they make their living in,” Matt said.

After all, he added, feeding the hungry is “something that we do and we do well.”
Katie hopes that in addition to providing badly needed produce to families in need, the Food Bank Farm will further WMAEC’s work to educate people about modern agriculture, especially the hundreds of volunteers needed to harvest the crop.

“People ought to be interested in it,” Katie said. “It’s part of our culture.”

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Million Meal March Awards Luncheon renews call

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More than 160 people attended our Million Meal March Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 1. We were particularly grateful for the chance to honor those who put their time and resources on the line to make our work possible this year.

Access of West Michigan, Old Orchard Brands, Walmart, and Kristi Hekker received awards for excellence in agency partnership, food donations, financial support, and volunteering. We’re sincerely grateful for all that they’ve done for our Food Bank.

The day ended with a call to action. Writer and researcher Ali Benjamin presented two portraits of children living with food insecurity from her Emmy-winning documentary Growing Hope Against Hunger. She reminded us that the well-being of children is a community’s primary responsibility.

Learn more about Ali and her work here.

Most significantly, the luncheon raised awareness and funds for our Million Meal March campaign. This community has now put over $73,000 toward our goal of sending an additional million meals to families in need throughout West Michigan. Thank you.

There’s more to be done. Visit millionmealmarch.org to find out how you can get involved.

How we can all end hunger together

It’s shocking, how many West Michigan families don’t know where their next meal will come from. But it’s amazing, what a big difference you make when you join Feeding America West Michigan – and thousands of farmers, manufacturers, grocers, restaurateurs and other committed citizens – in saving surplus food from landfills and sending it where it’s needed to feed the hungry. Ever wondered what you can do about hunger? This 4-minute video shows how a little help from you can make maximum change.

FOOD NEWS Full Plate Press

 

Million Meal March: Thank You for Marching Against Hunger

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Hikers set out on the White Pine Trail.

This year, we asked West Michigan to undertake a new effort in the fight against hunger, and West Michigan answered. So far, the Million Meal March has raised over $57,000, and the donations keep coming.

Feeding America West Michigan’s first-ever Million Meal March Trail Hike on Saturday, September 29, was graced with beautiful weather and a joyful atmosphere. More than 200 people showed up at the Food Bank to hike 10 kilometers on the White Pine Trail. Three local bands — Hawks and Owls, Suburban 5&10, and Chinese Baseball — provided the morning’s soundtrack, and The Corner Bar, Country Fresh, and Pepsi supplied the refreshments.

We want to thank everyone who attended, the individuals and families, and the hiking teams from local schools, churches, and businesses that helped us spread the word. For keeping a tight ship behind the scenes, we salute our volunteers, especially the team from Grand Valley State University who arrived bright and early and stayed until the end.

Finally, we want to thank our many sponsors. Your compassion and your generosity have been inspiring to see.

The Million Meal March is a six-month campaign to send an additional 1 million meals to families in need throughout West Michigan. To join the effort, visit MillionMealMarch.org.