Leelanau County, Benzie County & Traverse City Area Food Resources
When our web development clients at the Benzie Democrats shared a page with resources to help family, friends & neighbors get through the chaos caused by a lapse in SNAP benefit funding, we realized we should do the same for our primary service area!
Please click the links for information directly from the organizations. The resources will undoubtedly change so please check back!
We will add that Governor Whitmer is sending $4.5 million in emergency funds to food banks & the Senate has passed a larger, $71 million dollar package. This Bridge Michigan article notes that Michigan spends $3 billion a year on food assistance for our 1.4 million SNAP recipients. Michigan’s SNAP participation map shows that Leelanau, Benzie & Grand Traverse Counties are all below the state average of 14.2% of small town households, 16.1% of urban households, and 16.8% of rural households.
Leelanau County Food Security Resources
Outreach group that promotes compassion by providing nourishing meals, infused with love, to those experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. Meal sites in Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie Counties.
Non-profit empowering Leelanau residents facing challenging times through food, baby supplies, and emergency aid.
Clients can get canned and dry foods as well as meats and fresh produce. Open to all Leelanau residents.
The Lively NeighborFood Market
Their SNAP Gap for Neighbors program from the Lively’s local, year-round farmer’s market provides fresh, healthy foods for SNAP Bridge card holders.
Offering a Community Shelf with food, paper and sanitary products, and more including a gluten free section!
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Community food rescue & self-sufficiency within their six-county service area.
Northwest Michigan Food Coalition
Information about many more sites in the area. Also visit for region-wide food security information & programs including Farm2Neighbor purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, eggs and minimally processed (canned or frozen) produce from local farmers and distributes them to food insecure people and their families through food pantries and meal sites in Northwest Lower Michigan.
Benzie County Food Security Resources
Providing families with diapers, clothing for children from birth to their sixth birthday, strollers, baby formula and baby food, fresh vegetables in summer, meat and fish when available, and other supplies.
Benzie Area Christian Neighbors
Helping neighbors in Benzie & Manistee counties when there is no food, when the kids need school clothes, when the lights are about to be shut off. Whatever the need.
Other Benzie County Food Resources (via NW Michigan Food Coalition)
- Lake Ann United Methodist Church (Lake Ann)
- Woodside Wesleyan Church Pantry (Lake Ann)
- Fresh Winds Christian Community Food Pantry (Thompsonville)
- Benzie Food Partners Pantry (Honor – click above)
- Benzie Friends Resource Pantry (Benzonia- click above)
Grand Traverse County & Northwest Lower Michigan Food Security Resources
Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan
Partnerning with 210 local organizations, including 82 farms to rescue and deliver food across our five-county rural region.
Grace Episcopal Food Pantry & Community Lunch
Pantry visitors are asked to visit no more than twice a month to ensure that everyone in need can have access to pantry food; but visitors in need will not be turned away.
Providing fresh, healthy food, clothing and household goods, and financial assistance all free of charge to those in need, just as Father Fred did.
Diapers, wipes, children’s’ clothing (up to 4T), children’s bedding, books, baby food and formula (limited), and other baby/child items. Fresh produce may be available during pantry hours.
Immaculate Conception Food Pantry
Serving people who have a great need for food in the greater Grand Traverse Area
Christ Church Food Pantry & Meal Site / Feed TC
Food pantry open 11a – 1p M-W-F with Saturday community meal.
