During a recent government meeting, officials highlighted the longstanding partnership between Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and Kids Food Basket, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing healthy meals to children. Jamie Masco, the Director of Family Community Engagement, and Bridget Clark Whitney, CEO of Kids Food Basket, discussed the impact of their collaboration, which has been ongoing for 22 years.

Kids Food Basket has expanded significantly since its inception, growing from serving meals at two schools to now providing approximately 10,000 healthy meals daily across 38 GRPS schools and nine other districts in West Michigan. The organization emphasizes not only food access but also nutrition education, teaching children about healthy eating habits and where their food comes from through hands-on experiences, such as farm visits.

Whitney underscored the importance of combining food access with education, stating that both elements are crucial for making a lasting impact on children's health and well-being. She noted that healthy food should be considered a right, not a privilege, and expressed gratitude for the support received from GRPS throughout the years.

The meeting also touched on future initiatives, including the potential transformation of Union High School into an agricultural-themed school. This initiative aims to inspire students to pursue careers in agriculture, an important sector in Michigan, which ranks second in agricultural diversity nationwide.

Overall, the discussions underscored the critical role of partnerships in addressing food insecurity and promoting healthy lifestyles among students, reinforcing the commitment to meeting the holistic needs of scholars within the community.