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Increasing risk for chronic and costly diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and more
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Saginaw County has critical gaps in our local food system.
- Several of our neighborhoods are considered food deserts with no nearby access to full-service grocery stores offering fresh produce.
- Too many families rely on highly processed foods offered at neighborhood convenience stores within walking distance of home.
- Nearly 50% of Saginaw families are considered ALICE population — working but still struggling to meet basic needs like affordable, healthy food.
- 80% of each month’s food assistance dollars are used within two weeks, leaving another two weeks where meals are uncertain for too many families.
- Particularly hard hit are those without reliable transportation to get to full-service grocery stores like Meijer, Kroger, and Aldi.
The Saginaw Community Food Club is designed to address Saginaw’s food access issues, which significantly impact the overall health of the community:
- 44% — Saginaw residents worry about running out of food
- 33% — Saginaw children are on food assistance
- 75% — Saginaw residents are overweight or obese Increasing risk for chronic and costly diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and more
- 76th — Saginaw ranks 76th out of 83 counties for health outcomes – 80th for healthy behaviors
Evidence shows that nonprofit grocery stores like the Saginaw Community Food Club:
- Reduce reliance on food pantries and other emergency food resources.
- Significantly improve household stability for other important things like housing, healthcare, and childcare.
- Improve health outcomes across a community — and health is directly tied to economic prosperity.
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BUILT ON SUCCESS
Saginaw Community Food Club is inspired and informed by an effective model that started in Grand Rapids in 2015 as Community Food Club. After proving the concept worked, Community Food Club became a nonprofit organization in 2018 and regularly collaborates with people and organizations with shared goals for thriving communities. Saginaw’s food club will be part of a statewide network – and the first on the east side of the state.
HOW IT IS SUSTAINED
Start-up costs are estimated to be $5 million, with annual operating costs of $500,000-$600,000 supported by:
Donated food
Low-cost food from USDA and other venders
Local gardens
Grants
Foundation support
Membership dollars (which will be used to support operations, NOT to purchase food)
KITCHEN
The Saginaw Community Food Club will feature demonstration kitchen stations, thanks to the generous sponsorships of BWell Saginaw partner organizations and Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region. Here, members can learn to prepare and cook healthy foods they may not be familiar with or learn more about the benefits of healthy eating and doing so on a budget.
TOP PRIORITIES
Being part of the Community Food Club network requires the following priorities:
Creating an experience for member shopping that offers the selection, service, convenience, and dignity of a quality grocery store. Members use points to buy food items that fit their needs – and product point value create an incentive for healthy choices.
Sharing a commitment to empowering and involving members, strengthening community relationships, improving equity and well-being, and evaluating outcomes for real and continuous improvement.
Working in collaboration, not competition, with one another, as well as emergency food resources in home communities.
Project Status and Timeline
What It Does
Evidence shows stores like the Saginaw Community Food Club support:
Healthy eating — Fruits and vegetables make up 50% of the items members select – that's about 3x the proportion of produce distributed through conventional grocery stores.
Consistent meals — After six months with the club, 33% of members say they skip meals less frequently, and 32% say they have not needed to use an emergency food resource.
Household stability — 23% of members say they are better able to meet basic needs – like housing, healthcare, childcare – since joining a food club.
Best practice investigations — Complete
MOU with statewide food club network — Complete
Fiduciary agreement with Saginaw Community Foundation — Complete
5O1c3 — Complete
Board officers — Committed
Andrew Damore, President
Sam Tany, Vice President
Lance Redwantz, Treasurer
Vanessa Guarra, Secretary
Tina Swanton, Food Club CEO
Board of directors — Complete
Lori Hausbeck
Melinda Shriner
Andy Damore
Vanessa Guerra
Mari McKenzie
Lance Redwantz
Sam Tany
Andre Reed
Ericka Lich
Dorian Phelps
Qiana Pittman
Heather Hart
Dr. Dafina Allen
Dr. Ronaold Gonzales
Initial funding — Underway
- $4.5 million raised of initial $5 million startup cost