Be Nourished
Eat Healthy
Fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy make up the five food groups that provide essential nutrients to support growth, give us energy and good health. It is important to our health to eat a variety of foods from all five food groups every day. Make every bite count. Tap here to learn more.
In the Kitchen
Cooking at home is a great way to make sure we are eating healthy and saving money. Making meals with our family members or housemates is a fun way to engage with one another, create traditions, memories, and promote healthy eating.
We can also prepare meals according to our own tastes, dietary needs, and preferences, and experiment with different recipes, ingredients, and flavors. We also control the ingredients in our meals, especially the amount of salt, sugar, and fats.
Simply put, home cooking is good for our health.
Eat Seasonally
Eating seasonally means our food tastes better and helps save money. The benefits of eating locally grown fruits and vegetables are many. They are bursting with flavor and have more nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness, and studies have shown that fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients when allowed to ripen fully.
For example, when we buy foods that are out of season, they are harvested early so they can be shipped to our stores, which means they are less flavorful, less nutritious, and the shipping costs get passed on to us. While buying foods out of season is handy when we crave a tomato in February, most of us know how much better they taste when they are pulled ripe off the vine. Buying locally grown food also means we are supporting our local farmers and the local economy where we live.
Head over to our recipe resources for our favorite seasonal recipes and recipe websites.
Happy Cooking!
Michigan Farmers Markets
Our state is home to farms and orchards filled with good food that can help you bring the seasonal bounty to your table. Use this Find a Farmers Market tool to find a market near you.
During market season, Farmers Market Food Navigators are available to help you maximize your food dollars while purchasing fresh, healthy food for your family. They give personalized market tours, introduce you to the farmers that grow your food, explain the food assistance programs available at the market and provide food tastings, recipe ideas, and strategies to help families eat more seasonal Michigan produce. Tap here to learn more.
Nutrition Incentive Programs
USDA Nutrition Incentive Programs increase nutrition security for SNAP participants by making healthy foods more accessible and affordable.
Michigan Farm to Family: CSA
Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Michigan Farm to Family: CSA nutrition incentive program supports SNAP/EBT shoppers purchase a weekly farm box filled with healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. The program bears 75% of the cost of the farm box. So, if the farm box is $20, participants pay $5 and the program pays $15. Participants also receive helpful tips and recipes from community nutrition educators to help prepare, cook and store the fresh produce received each week.
To join, find a location near you, sign up, and enjoy a weekly farm box filled with fresh fruits and veggies. Tap here to learn more.
Double Up Food Bucks
The Double Up Food Bucks nutrition incentive program helps SNAP/EBT shoppers get twice the fresh fruits and veggies by matching fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day.
Double Up Food Bucks is available in Michigan at 230+ participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and corner stores. Tap here to learn more.
Aging Well
Our dietary needs change as we age. HelpGuide.org offers nutrition tips and resources to help older adults live longer and stronger. If you are a Michigan resident and age 60+, you may qualify for home-delivered meals.
To see if you qualify, sign up here. If you are eligible, your regional agency or volunteer will contact you to have meals delivered. Meals can be fresh, frozen or shelf stable (non-perishable) and may accommodate special diets.