MSU Extension recognizes Thumb Food Policy Council with Key Partner Award
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EmailThe Thumb Food Policy Council (TFPC) was honored with the MSU Extension Key Partner Award October 16 during the MSU Extension Fall Conference in Grand Rapids.
The Thumb Food Policy Council (TFPC) was honored with the MSU Extension Key Partner Award October 16 during the MSU Extension Fall Conference in Grand Rapids. The award is given annually to individuals, organizations, media, special MSU programs and government officials who have made significant contributions to creating, improving or promoting Extension programs.
Karly Creguer, MSU Extension district 9 director, nominated the council for establishing a food hub and distribution system that provides nutritious food to seniors and family with children. An average of 1,500 bags of food are delivered to low-income residents of St. Clair, Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac and Lapeer counties each week.
“TFPC is the fiduciary of a $1.6 million grant that helped create The Last Mile Food Project,” Creguer said. “This gave us the opportunity to work together with various existing transportation systems to get food to people in need.”
Joe Bixler, president of the council, said that Meals on Wheels and public transportation busses are just some of the examples of how the group helps feed hungry people. Bixler helped formed the TFPC after successfully heading up a demonstration project that showed a need for services.
“TFPC and MSU Extension have both been members of the Tuscola Food Access Collaborative since it began in 2019,” Bixler said. “That year we hosted two food summits with stakeholders from throughout the area who absolutely supported our ideas.”
The group has since collaborated with an Amish farm cooperative that grows, stores and packages produce for distribution.
Quentin Tyler, director of MSU Extension, said that the Thumb Food Policy Council shows the value of collaboration.
“By bringing together various community partners, TFPC has proven that there is power in numbers,” he said. “We are proud to give them this honor and hope that we can continue to work together to help Michigan residents thrive.”
