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  • Help fight hunger in Michigan

    Harvest for All LogoWhile Michigan's farm families work hard year-round to help produce the world's most abundant supply of affordable, high-quality food, this fact remains: many of their fellow citizens continue to feel the pangs of hunger.

    Taking action, Michigan Farm Bureau works with the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) and the Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS) to encourage Farm Bureau members to help fight hunger in Michigan.

    Harvest for All is a unique way for Michigan's first harvesters to finish the job by assisting FBCM in providing food to Michigan families in need.

    According to FBCM, hunger is a reality for nearly a million Michiganders, young and old, who never imagined they would be dependent on food banks, pantries, shelters and school lunch programs.


  • Contest Details

    Michigan Farm Bureau State Promotion & Education and State Young Farmer Committees are conducting a contest to recognize county Farm Bureaus for their donation efforts. Award categories include: Volunteer Hours of Service and Total Food Donations. Winners receive $500 to award to a food bank of their choice!

     

    Details

  • How Does it Work?

    1. Farm Bureau Members harvest surplus product and contact Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS) 1-800-552-4483 to arrange pick-up or delivery.
    2. MASS will arrange for processing of raw product or will deliver directly to Michigan food banks for sorting.
    3. Once the food bank network receives the donated food, it is inspected, sorted and distributed to area agencies.
    4. Food bank agencies, such as soup kitchens, will receive the donated products and distribute to those in need.

    Please remember this program is a yearlong effort to stop hunger and doesn't end in the fall.


  • How Can You Help?

    1. Contact the Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS) 1-800-552-4483 to donate surplus commodities to local food banks.
    2. Donate food and grocery products. Give needed items at community food drives or take the lead and organize your own. Contact your local food bank or food rescue organization to get started.
    3. Make a financial gift to get food to hungry people across our state by calling the Food Bank Council of Michigan at 1-800-552-4483 or by visiting the Food Bank Council of Michigan website. Just one dollar provides three meals to those in need.
    4. Volunteer in your local community. There are many ways to get involved from sorting groceries, to serving food, to lending professional skills. Your local food bank or food rescue organization can help find your service niche! Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan website to locate your local food bank or food rescue organization.

  • Michigan Agricultural Surplus System

    MASS LogoThe Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS) is a program facilitated by the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM). This innovative partnership between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan food banks and the agricultural community has been funded by a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture since 1990. In 1990, as a pilot program, MASS distributed 350,000 pounds of surplus product throughout Michigan. In 2013, the MASS program was able to distribute over 9 million pounds of surplus product that would have gone to the landfill. This product is distributed in all 83 counties of Michigan through the network of food banks statewide.

    The MASS program is able to accept product that needs refrigeration, cooler space or further processing to make it a shelf stable product.

  • Food Bank Council of Michigan

    Food Bank Council of Michigan LogoThe Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) is a statewide organization that gathers food and funds to help stock Michigan's regional food banks. FBCM helps provide food banks with millions of pounds of surplus vegetables, fruits and other grocery items. For more information about FBCM and the food-banking network in Michigan, visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan website. Every $1 helps provide three meals to neighbors in need.