Strengthening Rural Food Access: From Community Impact to New Opportunity
April Strength of Rural Spotlight Series
In rural communities across Michigan, food pantries are more than places to pick up groceries, they are essential hubs of support, connection, and care. Through partnerships like those led by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, rural food pantries are gaining new opportunities to expand access to fresh, healthy food. The St. Ignace Food Pantry is a powerful example of what’s possible when community, collaboration, and resources come together.
Serving nearly 800 residents each year, the St. Ignace Food Pantry provides groceries and personal care items to individuals and families navigating financial hardship. Like many rural communities, Mackinac County experiences seasonal employment patterns, where job opportunities fluctuate with tourism. As businesses close during the off-season, many residents face increased challenges accessing consistent, healthy food.
Despite these barriers, the pantry continues to show up for its community, largely driven by volunteers, local donations, and strong partnerships. Food is sourced through Feeding America, alongside contributions from local fundraisers, churches, businesses, and residents. Donations have ranged from monthly financial support to large contributions like locally sourced meat, reflecting the deep commitment of the community to care for one another.
A key turning point for the pantry came through the Food Pantry Grant Program. In 2022, the St. Ignace Food Pantry received a refrigeration unit and technical support through the program, a partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, and the BCBSM Foundation. The addition of refrigeration allows the pantry to safely store and distribute fresh food for the community.
“It’s absolutely wonderful, and it has enabled us to have milk and have eggs,” said Kathy Perry, president of the pantry. “We couldn’t afford to go out and buy something like that for ourselves.”
For pantry leadership and volunteers, the impact was immediate. Access to refrigeration meant not only more food options, but healthier options, supporting overall well-being for the individuals and families they serve. It also strengthened the pantry’s role as a reliable, trusted resource within the community. At its core, the story of the St. Ignace Food Pantry is a story of community, neighbors helping neighbors, organizations working together, and local solutions making a lasting impact.
Building on successes like this, the 2026 Food Pantry Grant is now open for applications. This collaborative initiative, led by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, and the Superior Health Foundation, aims to increase local food pantries' capacity to provide access to fresh, nutritious foods.
Through this opportunity, grant funding can support equipment and resources that make it possible to store and distribute perishable items, helping ensure that community members have access to healthy choices like dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.
For rural communities, these investments go beyond food access. They support chronic disease prevention, strengthen local systems of care, and reflect the power of partnerships in addressing the social drivers of health.