Food Security in MT: the whole system from producer to consumer access

In Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for a more localized food system, and therefore more secure supply chains?

In this episode, we look at the full system of food security in Montana; from producer to consumer, hearing about the reality of the situation, pathways to improvement & engagement, and we hear about locally-guided entities across the state doing incredible work to improve food security in their community. Interviews feature the Child Nutrition Manager & Policy Director from the Montana Food Bank Network, and the Specialist for the Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center.

This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities.

LINKS:

Featured:

Montana Food Bank Network - find your local food bank on their map

MT Food Bank Network Backpack Program

MT Food Bank Network School Pantry Program

Great Northern Development Corporation

Eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center

Headwaters Foundation (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana)

Some Food Pantries & Access Resources:

Helping Hands - Hardin, MT

Missoula Food Bank

Mobile Market, for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City Harvest

Billings Food Bank

Flathead Food Bank - Kalispell, MT

Livingston Food Resource Center

Hunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program 

Montana Veterans Meat Locker

The Producer Partnership

Custer County Food Bank - Miles City, MT

Havre Food Bank

SW Montana Veterans Food Pantry 

SNAP in Montana

WIC in MT - Women, Infants, & Children - food support

Summer EBT, Sun Bucks, Information

Families: text “FOOD” to 304-304 to see nearby summer meal locations or visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals 

Native-led Food Sovereignty Programs:

FAST Blackfeet

People’s Food Sovereignty Program - CSKT