Food and Nutrition Security

Having access to nutritious food is critical to practicing healthy behaviors around nutrition.

U-M is committed to supporting those in and around our community who may be facing food and nutrition insecurity.

What is food insecurity?

Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough nutrient dense food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. This can be a temporary situation for a family or can last a long time.

Hunger can affect people from all walks of life. Millions in the U.S. are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from hunger. More than 35,000 (9.6%) of residents in Washtenaw County are food insecure. It affects those right here on campus as well:

Of those U-M employees who screened positive for food insecurity, the majority reported moderate to high health risks.
According to the Maize and Blue Cupboard, more than 30% of students experience food insecurity in some way.

Support the Maize and Blue Cupboard

With a mission to ensure no one goes without at U-M, the Maize and Blue Cupboard (MBC) provides U-M faculty, staff and students that have an immediate need with healthy, nutritious, and nourishing food and the ability to prepare it for themselves or others.

Learn more about MBC

an empty plate with someone holding a fork and knife

Act Against Hunger Quiz

This short five-question quiz is an easy way to learn about some common myths and misconceptions related to food and nutrition insecurity.

Take the quiz

sticky note with "we can help" written on it

MHealthy Resource Coach Program

The MHealthy Resource Coach Program is a free, confidential service for all U-M faculty and staff. If you are experiencing food insecurity our Resource Coaches can connect you to community and local resources.

Learn more about how we can help

Raise Your Awareness. Learn How to Help. Find Resources.

Who is Affected by Food Insecurity and How?
Hunger can affect people from all walks of life. Millions in the U.S. are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from hunger.

However, hunger doesn't affect everyone equally. Some groups like children, seniors, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color face hunger at much higher rates. According to the Food Security Evidence Review published in August of 2020 by Feeding America:

“Associations between household characteristics and increased risk for food insecurity often reflect underlying inequalities, such as long standing economic and social disadvantage resulting from structural racism.”

Those facing food insecurity may experience:

Increased anxiety and stress about the cost of food.

Increased concern that their food supply may run out before they have enough money to buy more.

Trouble focusing.
What Does Food Insecurity Look Like?
According to the 2014 Hunger in America study conducted by the Feeding America Network, this is how people make choices, compromises, and employ coping strategies when faced with limited resources:

69%: Had to choose between food and utilities.

66%: Had to choose between food and medical care.

57%: Had to choose between food and housing.

31%: Had to choose between food and education.

79%: Purchase inexpensive, unhealthy food.

53%: Receive help from friends or family.

40%: Water down food or drinks.

35%: Sell or pawn personal property.

Someone who is dealing with food and nutrition insecurity may:

Consistently eat the same low-cost foods and feel the need to compromise on the types of food eaten to save money.

Eat less than they would like to or less frequently than they prefer to save food or money until they can get more.

Skip meals or whole days of eating for fear of running out of food and not having the money or resources to get more.

Not go out to restaurants with coworkers.

Drink a lot of water to cope with food insecurity.

Visibly be losing weight.

Sleep to cope with food insecurity.
Need Help?
U-M Resources

Maize and Blue Cupboard - This food pantry provides U-M faculty, staff and students that have an immediate need with healthy, nutritious, and nourishing food and the ability to prepare it for themselves or others.

UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry - UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry is committed to increasing access to food for students by providing assistance to any student in need. All UM-Dearborn students are welcome, and everything is free. Faculty and staff can also use this resource by reaching out to the Dearborn Human Resources Office at 313-593-5190 or by email at [email protected]

MHealthy’s Resource Coach Program - One-on-one, confidential assistance is available to you through MHealthy’s Resource Coach program. Get help with locating the right resources at U-M and in your community for finding food, meeting basic needs and more.

Mental and Emotional Health Support - Someone facing food insecurity may experience increased anxiety and stress about the cost of food or running out of food before they have enough money to buy more. If you (or someone you know) needs support, confidential online screenings, professional counseling at no charge and more are always available to you.

Eat Healthy, Be Active Program - A free five-week, online, food and movement program to help you become a healthier version of yourself. Available through a partnership with the Michigan State University Extension.

Local and National Resources

Food Gatherers is an anti-hunger program that serves Washtenaw County and has a large network of partners to provide direct food assistance to community members. Those in need can type in their address to find the closest food resource on the Food Map. You can also call them for further information at 734-761-2796.

Gleaners Community Food Bank hosts drive-up Community Mobile Distributions that follow a two-week rotating schedule with the goal of providing nutritious, healthy food in five counties: Livingston, Oakland, Wayne, Monroe and Macomb.

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan - Partners with a network of over 700 relief agencies throughout 22 counties; you can use their food pantry locator to find food resources closest to you.

Flashfood is an app that you can download on your phone; participating grocery stores will allow you to buy food that is close to its expiration date but still perfectly good at up to 50% off, and then you go and pick it up.

FoodFinder is a food pantry locator and 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shows you when and where to get free food assistance in your area.
How to Help
Make a donation

Support Maize and Blue Cupboard by donating goods or funds. To make a food or good donation, drop off directly to the MBC.

Have a garden? Share produce from your own garden. Or, when planting your garden add a row to be donated to a local food pantry, church or community event to help neighbors who may struggle with food security.

Support the UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry - UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry is committed to increasing access to food for students by providing assistance to any student in need. All UM-Dearborn students are welcome, and everything is free. Faculty and staff can also use this resource by reaching out to the Dearborn Human Resources Office at 313-593-5190 or by email at [email protected].

Volunteer

Maize and Blue Cupboard (volunteer your time at the food pantry or consider organizing a food drive)

Gleaners Food Bank

Food Gatherers

UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry

Project Grow

Raise awareness

The Act Against Hunger five-question quiz is an easy way to learn about some common myths and misconceptions related to food and nutrition insecurity.

Add this Hunger Action Month Zoom background to show your support in virtual meetings.

Learn more about food insecurity from Feeding America, the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States.

The report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, “Household Food Security in the United States in 2021” found that 10.2 percent of U.S. households (13.5 million households) were food insecure.

Food and Nutrition Security

What is food insecurity?

Support the Maize and Blue Cupboard

Act Against Hunger Quiz

MHealthy Resource Coach Program

Raise Your Awareness. Learn How to Help. Find Resources.

U-M Resources

Local and National Resources

Make a donation

Volunteer

Raise awareness

MHealthy

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