Michigan Hoophouses for Health

Hoophouses for Health was a program designed to increase access to Good Food for vulnerable families while at the same time expanding the Good Food infrastructure and season extension capacity of Michigan farmers.

Program Update:

The Hoophouses for Health program began operating in Michigan in 2011; 2018 marked a milestone as the end to the program’s second round of funding through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Throughout those years the program distributed $833,995 to 66 farmers to purchase, construct, and grow in over 221,452 square feet of hoophouse production space. Participating families used Hoophouses for Health vouchers and market cards to purchase $240,210 of produce at participating farmers markets. Participating farmers also provided 41,613 lbs of fresh, Michigan-grown produce to eligible schools and/or early care and education programs through 2018. 

When we reflect on the impressive impacts, we are overwhelmed with the effect and success of the program thanks to its dedicated farmers, community partners, and supporters. All participating farmers have completed the loan repayment process as of December 2021. Hoophouses for Health grew and evolved over time. At the start of the second round of funding, the program expanded to include farm to school sales, both to respond to feedback from farmers and community partners and to increase the program’s impacts. By helping to remove barriers to relationships between farmers and schools and early care and education programs, Hoophouses for Health facilitated relationships that have lasted, in some cases, beyond program payback and increased farm to school sales across Michigan. 

As the program has come to a close, we will continue to provide support to community partners, market managers, farmers and families in accessing, administering and/or accepting of food assistance benefits to ensure that healthy, locally-grown foods get to the children and families in need across Michigan.