Vining tomato plants in a hoop house

CASE STUDY

FRESH FOOD CONNECTIONS

Project Background

Fresh Food Connections (FFC), a partnership between Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Taste the Local Difference (TLD), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, seeks to increase fresh produce consumption by connecting SNAP-eligible communities via eCommerce to farmers committed to food access.

Individuals and families interested in fresh food select a local farmer that meets their needs and register to pay using SNAP/EBT or their preferred payment method. 

IMPaCT aT a GLaNCE: 2021-2025

25

FARMS SUPPORTED
All of which are owned by BIPOC, female and/or veteran-owned farms across Calhoun, Houghton, Luce, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Oakland, Van Buren, and Wayne counties.

1,280

MARKETING HOURS PROVIDED

$374k

IN DIRECT FUNDING AND MARKETING SERVICES
Distributed to support small farms in increasing production.

12

FARMS RECEIVED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
To apply for FNS as a SNAP Retailer

21

FFC FARMS ACCEPTING SNAP BY 2025

A laptop showing the Fresh Food Connections homepage

FFC has provided farms with the following marketing services:

Websites created: 9

Existing websites updated: 5

Technical assistance to support ecommerce: 9

Social media strategy development: 10

Email marketing services: 9

Professional videos highlighting community impact: 9