Health and Growth at Community Food Club

Frank Quardokus’s Impact on Nutrition

You may have met Frank Quardokus, our Summer intern from Grand Valley's Applied Food and Nutrition Masters Program. Frank has made a significant impact on our community's health by helping members think differently about food and its role in managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Frank has created innovative recipes using ingredients available in our store. These recipes are designed to be delicious, nutritious, and tailored to support individuals managing chronic conditions. For diabetes, he crafted recipes low in added sugars and high in fiber. For hypertension, he focused on low-sodium recipes bursting with flavor. For heart disease, his recipes emphasize wholesome ingredients promoting cardiovascular wellness.

We are immensely grateful for Frank's dedication and expertise. His passion for nutrition and compassionate approach have helped our members make healthier choices. Thank you, Frank, for all your hard work and delicious recipes!

A Note from the Director

Hello Food Club Family,

It’s crazy how fast summer is flying by. While 2024 is half over, the Food Club has just started its new fiscal year. It’s been a great time to reflect on the past 12 months and look at where we’re heading this year. Here are a few highlights:

• 15,491: Individuals shopped in our store over the past 12 months.
• 1,875: New families joined our program last year.
• 1.77 Million Pounds: Amount of food given away to our members.
• $3.07 Million: Retail cost of all the food given to members.
• 30% Growth: We served 30% more households year over year.

These achievements are possible thanks to our volunteers, who donate over 800 hours of their time every month, and our incredible donors and community partners. Together, we’re strengthening our community and redefining food access.

Happy Summer, AJ Fossel Executive Director

Exciting News! We are thrilled to announce that we recently received a generous $250,000 gift from the Consumers Energy Foundation! This support will help us serve 3,000 more people with facility upgrades, including an additional checkout lane and a new produce cooler. Read more about it here.

Call to Action: If you're interested in joining our incredible group of volunteers, click below! Volunteer with Us

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