YPSILANTI, MI — While picking up her grandson from Ypsilanti International Elementary School, Leslie Harris also picked up a brown box from the school’s office.
The box contained fresh veggies, fruits and ideas on how to prepare them.
“It helps with the nutrition, make sure (we’re getting) balanced food and getting the fruits and vegetables,” Harris said. “We usually get those anyway, but a little more helps.”
Ypsilanti International Elementary is one of 17 schools in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Whitmore Lake participating in Food Gatherers’ Healthy School Pantry Program, which provides free boxes of fresh produce to local families throughout the school year.
“We’re excited about the partnership, it is such a need at this day and time,” said Cassandra Sheriff, the school’s principal. “It helps us service the whole child, and that’s what we’re here for.”
The monthly boxes not only help with nutrition, it also encourages families to try new things. Harris’ favorite discovery from the program was parsnips, she said, with her and her grandson particularly enjoying a recipe in which they are broasted with potatoes and kale.
“That was something I never really would’ve tried to do, but it was pretty good,” Harris said. “You’re learning different recipes and different ways to cook things, vegetable wise, things you walk past in the grocery store that you normally wouldn’t get. When you get it (through the program), then now that opens up things more.”
The program has been a big help to 40 to 50 families each month, Sheriff said.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s free,” Sheriff said. ““They are always extremely grateful... It makes us feel really good to be able to provide that partnership.”
Food Gatherers is an Ann Arbor-based organization dedicated to combating food insecurity in Washtenaw County. The nonprofit distributed more than 6.6 million pounds of food through various programs and pantries in 2018, said Helen Starman, Food Gatherers’ chief development officer.
“In Washtenaw County, 1 in 7 individuals is food insecure, which includes more than 8,000 children,” said Erin Freeman, the nonprofit’s community food programs coordinator. “The (pantry program) gives families the opportunity to choose and try a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that they otherwise might not be able to afford.”
It’s easier for families to get their hands on less-nutritious food if they don’t have the transportation, time or funds to seek out healthier options, Sheriff said. Having access to high-quality foods free of cost at an area they’ll likely already be — their children’s schools — makes it that much easier to be healthy.
Hosting the program at schools and making it available to any family helps limit any stigma or shame they might feel from needing or accepting food assistance, Freeman said. The distributions often coincide with school activities, which also lessens the need for families to make an extra trip to the school, she said.
“Being able to get the fresh fruits and vegetables right here on site is incredibly important,” Sheriff said. “It breaks the barriers the parents might have.”
The additional food might be what a family needs to make ends meet through the month, Sheriff said.
“It’s a wonderful partnership, because we know in school settings, kids come with different needs,” Sheriff said. “With that partnership, they come to school better prepared to learn.”
