… and hunger stings.

The most recent food insecurity statistics in Ottawa were reported in 2019 from the interim CCHS survey data. This data indicates that: One in seven households (13.9 per cent) in Ottawa is food insecure. Despite that fact, the new Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has turned on its own health department with the result that funding has been cut to the county’s food program.

OKT received this media release from Ottawa Food this morning:

Statement From the Ottawa Food Advisory Board

Following cuts to the Ottawa County Department of Public Health

November, 13, 2023

The model of Ottawa Food as a collaborative is unique, with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health employing the full-time coordinator, who works across the private and public sectors towards goals identified county-wide. Ottawa Food’s model is one that has been recognized and celebrated across the state as both highly effective and successful within the Michigan Local Food Council Network.

On Tuesday September, 26 the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted to cut the Ottawa County Department of Public Health Education team by 48%, but fund the Ottawa Food operating budget of about $8,950 which covers materials and supplies. Ottawa Food’s coordinator position was a 0.9 FTE Health Educator on this team, and with the cuts, this position no longer exists.

During budget negotiations it was brought up repeatedly that the Board of Commissioners didn’t want to see Ottawa Food operations reduced or eliminated. However, they also knew that by reducing the Health Education budget, this was a highly probable outcome.

Ottawa Food fully supports the Ottawa County Department of Public Health and its leadership team as they determine how to allocate a decreased budget while faced with impossible decisions. The complexity of the full situation is detailed in this Washington Post article from late October.

Prior to the final budget vote on September 26, listening sessions were held with Ottawa Food members to determine possible paths forward.  Following the cuts made in late September, 76% of Ottawa Food members voted to pause the model of Ottawa Food as it’s been operating, rather than continue without a full-time coordinator.

As of now, the collaborative still exists but all regular monthly and quarterly meetings and other activities are on pause. Without a full-time coordinator, certain programs will not continue, including Senior Project Fresh, which distributes farmers market coupons to local seniors through federal funding that the Ottawa Food Coordinator facilitated and coordinated through local agencies. Another impacted program is gleaning and produce donations from local farmers markets, specifically in Hudsonville, Spring Lake and Georgetown which just started this past year, coordinated and launched by the Ottawa Food Coordinator.

Of course, all of the member agencies across the county continue their own individual impactful work, although outside of the collaborative infrastructure. At this time, the Ottawa Food Advisory Board continues to meet and discuss the best course of action for the continued success and viability of the collaborative and its initiatives and programs.

Thank you for the continued support of our shared vision to eliminate hunger in Ottawa County, encourage healthy eating for all, and support local farmers.

About Ottawa Food
Ottawa Food is a collaboration of over 45 agencies and individuals working to ensure that community members have access to healthy, local and affordable food choices. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds and sectors, including local public health, food pantries, human service organizations, food security advocates, farmers, local businesses, community members, MSU Extension, Feeding America West Michigan and many others. Since founding in 2011, our vision is to have an available supply of well-balanced meals for all, and we work to eliminate hunger in Ottawa County, promote healthy eating for all, and increase sourcing of local food.

Learn more at https://ottawafood.org/