In Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for a more localized food system, and therefore more secure supply chains?
In this episode, we look at the full system of food security in Montana; from producer to consumer, hearing about the reality of the situation, pathways to improvement & engagement, and we hear about locally-guided entities across the state doing incredible work to improve food security in their community. Interviews feature the Child Nutrition Manager & Policy Director from the Montana Food Bank Network, and the Specialist for the Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center.
This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities.
Montana Food Bank Network - find your local food bank on their map
MT Food Bank Network Backpack Program
MT Food Bank Network School Pantry Program
Great Northern Development Corporation
Eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center
Headwaters Foundation (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana)
Some Food Pantries & Access Resources:
Helping Hands - Hardin, MT
Mobile Market, for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City Harvest
Flathead Food Bank - Kalispell, MT
Livingston Food Resource Center
Hunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program
Montana Veterans Meat Locker
Custer County Food Bank - Miles City, MT
SW Montana Veterans Food Pantry
WIC in MT - Women, Infants, & Children - food support
Summer EBT, Sun Bucks, Information
Families: text “FOOD” to 304-304 to see nearby summer meal locations or visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals
Native-led Food Sovereignty Programs:
People’s Food Sovereignty Program - CSKT
People's Food Sovereignty Program - Stories for Action podcast episode
Joe & Kathy Kipp of Blackfeet Nation - Stories for Action podcast episode
Rocky Boy Sustainability & Food Sovereignty Program
Woicago Tipi Cooperative Farm - Fort Peck
Yellow Bird Life Ways Center - Northern Cheyenne
Day Eagle Hope Project - Fort Belknap
All Nations Health Center - Missoula
Resources for Food Producers:
MT Food & Ag Development Centers
Montana Cooperative Development Center
MT Department of Agriculture
Grow Through Agriculture grant
Business Enhancement Program (food/ag)
Business Acceleration & Marketing grant (food/ag)
Value Added Producer grant
Food Hubs & Localizing MT Food Systems:
Abundant Montana - connect producers and customers to local food sources
Farm Connect MT (Formerly CFAC)
Trust Montana - community land trusts
Western Montana Growers Co-op
Montana Food Hub - Great Falls & North Central MT
Rolling Plains Co-op - Northeast Montana
Yellowstone Valley Food Hub
Montana Cooperative Development Center
USDA funding for localized food: announced Fall 2024
Find your Montana Legislators
Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.
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