The Food Policy Council is working to increase consumption, accessibility, and affordability of healthy foods among county residents. The council has begun identifying organizations working within the food system and asset mapping of healthy eating resources in Oakland County. Results will support developing a food resource directory and guide the future actions of the Food Policy Council.
Council Initiatives
- Conduct a thorough assessment of the food system in Oakland County.
- Promote and develop local resources to help people access healthy foods.
- Prioritize the Community Health Improvement Plan suggested actions for implementation and expansion.
Response to COVID-19
Summer Food Service
Program (Meet Up & Eat Up)
- The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as Meet Up & Eat Up, helps ensure kids (18 years old & younger) still have access to healthy meals when school is closed. Families can find a location by texting FOOD to 877-877 or use this map to find a site (click here for map in Spanish). This summer due to COVID-19, parents and guardians are allowed to pick up meals for the child(ren) and meals or snacks are not required to be eaten on-site.
Gleaners Community Food Bank
- Gleaners continues to serve those in need. They continue to work with partner pantries and are expanding food distribution efforts to include additional drive-up mobile sites in Oakland and surrounding counties. Community distribution sites occur weekly at multiple locations and will be added regularly to their website. Please call a pantry location call ahead of time in case an appointment or paperwork may be necessary.
Forgotten Harvest
- Forgotten Harvest updates its website daily with the most current list of active distribution sites receiving its food. Forgotten Harvest urges a household to check with listed agencies for any last minute changes before going to an agency distribution site.
Pandemic EBT
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a new program: Pandemic EBT. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) program provides temporary funding to address emergency food needs for families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- P-EBT food assistance benefits will go to Michigan families with students ages 5-18 that are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. This includes families currently receiving Food Assistance Program benefits, as well as those not currently enrolled in the program. No application is necessary for eligible families to receive P-EBT benefits. For more information and FAQs, visit MDHHS' website on P-EBT Food Assistance Benefits for Families.
SNAP Assistance
- Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS announced expanded emergency SNAP
benefits on March 27, 2020. Eligible households will receive additional
benefits for March and April to bring all households using SNAP to the maximum
monthly allowance. This change only applies to those who are not
receiving the maximum benefit right now. Eligible households should already see
benefits on their Bridge Card for March. For April, clients will see their
benefits issued on their typical day and then the additional benefits will be
issued the next calendar day. Here is the link
to MDHHS press release regarding additional SNAP benefits.
- Food Bank Council of Michigan
has informational flyers about the emergency allotments that can be shared.
Community and Faith-Based Organizations
Special Grocery Store Hours
- Here is a
list of stores that have special hours reserved for high-risk groups.
**This is an evolving situation. Information/resources will be updated as available on the OC Health Division website. Our Nurse on Call is also available at 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, or noc@oakgov.com.**