A $200,000 grant from the Cook Plant Foundation will help launch a new initiative linking local farmers with hunger relief organizations in Berrien County.
Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan received the funding and will lead the Nutrition Exchange of Southwest Michigan, a countywide network of food pantries, senior meal sites, and home-delivered meal programs. The Exchange will purchase food directly from area farmers, expanding access to fresh, locally grown produce while boosting the region’s agricultural economy.
Kelly Ferneau, executive vice president and chief nuclear officer at the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, said the investment reflects Cook’s history of supporting hunger relief.
“We are very proud to support this new initiative that helps families put fresh, healthy, locally grown foods on the table while honoring the hard work of local farmers,” Ferneau said.
One in six adults and one in five children in Berrien County face food insecurity, according to Meals on Wheels. Executive Director Linda Tinsley said the project will help meal providers work together to make healthy food more accessible while supporting local growers.
The Nutrition Exchange pilot project falls under the umbrella of the Southwest Michigan Food is Health Collaborative, convened by the Berrien Community Foundation (BCF). Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan is serving as the lead partner, with BCF and the Collaborative providing administrative support, technical assistance, and coordination.
The Collaborative is a county-wide coalition of cross-sector partners — including healthcare providers, nonprofits, farmers, and community leaders — working together to build a food-health ecosystem that centers local agriculture as the foundation for community wellness.
“This project is about more than food — it’s about dignity and health,” said Lisa Cripps-Downey, President of the Berrien Community Foundation.
“The Nutrition Exchange is a hyper-local solution that connects neighbors and farmers to reduce hunger and improve health across our county. Thanks to the Cook Plant Foundation’s leadership, we can take meaningful steps forward together,” said Cripps-Downey.
Dr. Sarah Gendernalik, principal of SBG Health Strategies and strategic coordinator of the Collaborative, emphasized the close connection between food insecurity and health. “Too often, the most available and affordable foods are highly processed — cheap, convenient, and everywhere. They may fill bellies, but they also fuel problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The Nutrition Exchange will help pantries and senior meal programs source nutrient-dense options for their guests, while building the systems needed to bring healthier foods into more community spaces. Our vision is for fresh, local foods to be the first and easiest choice on every table — nourishing families and strengthening our community.”
The Nutrition Exchange is part of the Southwest Michigan Food is Health Collaborative, convened by the Berrien Community Foundation. The pilot will launch this fall, with plans for expansion based on outcomes and community impact.
