Tidbits
Tidbits is a monthly senior food program publication that contains features like healthy eating tips, recipes, and information about food distributions.
To see when the next distribution near you will be, head over to our Seniors page.
Cereal
Cereal is part of the grain food group. Cereal can be eaten hot or cold and is usually eaten for breakfast. Whole grain cereals are a healthy breakfast or snack option. They contain fiber to help with digestion and vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, B vitamins, and magnesium. Whole grain cereal is good for heart health and provides energy for the day. • Ready-to-eat cereals are dry and made from a variety of grains. Just add milk! • Rolled oats are made from whole grains and need to be cooked. Rolled oats do not have added sugar. Add fruits or nuts for extra flavor. • Farina is a type of wheat cereal that can be cooked and has a creamy, smooth texture. Nuts and fruit can also be added to farina. • Grits is a warm cereal made from ground corn. It can be cooked with milk and eaten warm. Grits are a healthy option for gluten-free diets. Cereals that list whole grain as the first ingredient on the ingredient label are the healthiest option. The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
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Rice
Rice belongs to the grain section of MyPlate. When possible, try to choose brown rice to get the most health benefits. The fiber in brown rice reduces the risk of stroke, heart disease, and promotes digestive health Comparison of Brown Rice vs. White Rice
You can also find Michigan-grown wild rice in stores and farmers markets. Wild rice has the same, if not more, health benefits and is full of flavor. The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Calories
What are Calories? Calories are the measurement of energy in a food or drink. Calories are important because they give energy to your body to do the day-to-day jobs of breathing, walking, controlling blood pressure, and even keeping your heart beating. Your calorie needs may be different if you are trying to maintain, gain or lose weight. For example, if you are trying to lose weight you will need fewer calories than if you were trying to gain or maintain weight. How many Calories do I need?
The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Diabetes
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar, also called glucose. Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It is also important to fuel the brain. There are different types of diabetes, and the causes vary. All types of diabetes can lead to excess sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems. Glucose comes from food and your liver. Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream and enters the cells with the help of insulin. The liver then stores the sugar and makes glucose. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin. Talk to your doctor about diabetes if you have any questions or concerns. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
About the USDA Food Boxes
Our USDA senior food boxes are designed to support your health and well-being, especially if you have nutrition-related chronic conditions. These boxes supplement your diet with healthy options that can help manage common conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The foods provided are low in sodium, helping you stay within the recommended daily limit of 2,300 mg. Each box is packed with nutritious items like fiber-rich beans and whole grains, as well as dairy products that add calcium to support strong bones. We aim to provide wholesome foods that help you stay healthy and active! Food Shopping Tips
The price tag on the shelf has a lot of information. It’s good to understand what the numbers mean.
Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Healthy Meal and Eating Tips
Are Canned Foods Healthy? People who consume more canned fruits and vegetables generally have higher fruit and vegetable intake and more nutrient intake. Canned fruits and vegetables are canned within hours after picking to help maintain nutrients. Canning preserves many nutrients like lycopene in tomatoes. Canning also helps make fibers in certain vegetables like beans more soluble and more useful. The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Milk in the USDA Food Box
The USDA food box contains UHT and/or instant nonfat dry milk. Both are excellent sources of calcium and Vitamin D. These help bones and teeth stay strong. Nonfat milk has the same amount of protein, calcium, and vitamins as whole milk but no fat and fewer calories. UHT stands for “ultra-high temperature.” UHT milk has been treated with heat so that it does not need to be refrigerated until after opening. UHT milk can be used in recipes just like regular milk or as a chilled beverage. To make the instant nonfat dry milk, add dry milk powder to cold water and mix well. To make 1 cup of milk, add ⅓ cup of powder to one scant cup of water. To enhance the taste, prepare the milk in advance and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Add 1-2 Tablespoons of nonfat dry milk powder to smoothies, shakes, creamy soups, or hot cereals to boost the protein, calcium, and vitamins without adding extra fat. Use nonfat dry milk powder as a healthy, affordable coffee creamer. The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Sleep
The average adult should be sleeping 7-8 hours a night. The average American sleeps less than 7 hours a night which is affecting our bodies more than we think. Sleep is very important for our health including brain performance, boosts immune system, and mood. Lack of sleep can lead to a higher risk for diseases like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and dementia. Try these sleep tips: • Be consistent with your sleeping schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or large meals before bed. • Turn off TVs, computers, or smartphones before you get into bed. • Be physically active throughout the day. • Make your room comfortable – dark, quiet, right temperature for you. • If this is something you cannot control, try a sleep eye mask, ear plugs, white noise, or use a fan/heater to maintain room temperature. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition happens when our diets do not contain the right amount of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, or calories. Sometimes it means not getting enough nutrients, and sometimes it means getting too much. Unwanted muscle and fat loss can occur if nutrients are missing and diseases like heart disease and diabetes can develop if there is too much. The best way to prevent malnutrition is by having a well-balanced diet. MyPlate is a great guide to create meals, show what types of foods and how much of that certain food group you should eat to meet the right amount of nutrients for a healthy body. The MyPlate guide says half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables, a quarter should be whole grains, and the last quarter a variety of protein. You should also be consuming low-fat or fat-free dairy. Eating three meals a day, along with 2-3 snacks throughout helps to keep you healthy. Water is also an important nutrient to consider for malnutrition. For more information on MyPlate guidelines, visit www.myplate.gov. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! The material provided is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care. Lowering Your Sodium The effect of sodium (salt) on your blood pressure is well-known. The more sodium you take in, the higher your blood pressure rises. Sodium is found in many of the foods we eat and most of us get more than we need. Sodium is already added to a lot of the foods we buy and dishes we order so you shouldn’t have to add salt.
The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits below!
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Questions? Give us a call!Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola County Residents: 989-229-0849 Reminder CallsMonthly customers will receive an automated call the day before distribution reminding them to pick up their box. Archives
April 2025
Box ReturnsWe are now able to sterilize boxes with UV light treatment. Clean boxes may be returned at distributions. Non-discrimination policyIn accordance with Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. |
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Hours
Monday-Thursday from 8 AM-4:30 PM
Friday from 8 AM-4 PM
Closed daily from 12-1 PM
Friday from 8 AM-4 PM
Closed daily from 12-1 PM
Locations
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CLARE COUNTY
Administrative Office 1574 E Washington Road PO Box 768 Farwell, MI 48622 Phone 989-386-3805 Toll-Free 1-877-213-5948 Fax 989-386-3277 [email protected] FOOD WAREHOUSE 2300 E Ludington Drive Clare, MI 48617 989-229-0849 [email protected] |
BAY COUNTY
114 South Washington Avenue Bay City, MI 48708 Phone: 989-894-9060 [email protected] GLADWIN COUNTY 1302 Chatterton Street Gladwin, MI 48624 Phone: 989-426-2801 [email protected] MECOSTA COUNTY 706 Maple Street Big Rapids, MI 49307 Phone: 231-660-0271 [email protected] MIDLAND COUNTY 1717 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 103 Midland, MI 48642 Phone: 989-832-7310 [email protected] |
MUSKEGON COUNTY
878 Jefferson Street, Suite 2 Muskegon, MI 49440 Phone: 231-557-7622 [email protected] OCEANA COUNTY 195 N Michigan Ave Shelby, MI 49455 Phone: 231-923-3066 [email protected] OSCEOLA COUNTY 240 E Church Street Reed City, MI 49677 Phone: 231-791-7078 [email protected] |
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
[email protected]
This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH012316 and 05CH011635 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Mid Michigan Community Action Agency and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider