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.
 May's featured commodity is pasta! 
Exercise for Seniors
Regular physical activity can prevent or delay many of the health problems that seem to come with age. Some physical activity is better than none at all. Adults aged 65 and older need:
If chronic conditions affect your ability to meet these recommendations, be as physically active as your abilities and conditions allow. Any amount of physical activity has some health benefits! Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits. For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm This content is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you.
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 April's featured commodity is canned mixed fruit
NUT-rition
Eating nuts is good for your heart! Nuts are healthy, easy to store, and easy to take with you. While some nuts are high in fat, it is a healthy fat. Nuts provide protein, selenium, and Vitamin E. Including nuts in your regular diet can lower levels of inflammation related to heart disease and diabetes, improve artery health, decrease the risk of blood clots, lower the risk of high blood pressure, and more. Choose raw or dry-roasted nuts rather than nuts cooked in oil. It's best to choose unsalted or unsweetened nuts as adding salt or sugar to nuts may cancel out their heart-healthy benefits. One serving is a small handful (1.5 ounces) of whole nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter. To learn more about protein, visit myplate.gov. Read the full edition of Tidbits here. This content is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you.  March's featured commodity is cheese
Blueberries
Michigan ranks third in the US for growing blueberries. You can find most of Michigan's blueberries in Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren counties. Blueberries provide fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and potassium. They are naturally low in sodium and have virtually no fat. Blueberries are only 80 calories per cup and full of antioxidants like flavan-3-oils, proanthocyanins and anthocyanins. Blueberries come fresh, frozen, pureed, concentrated or canned. Which makes it easy to add them to your daily diet. A one cup serving of fresh blueberries contains 25% of the recommended daily value for vitamin c and 4 grams of fiber. To learn more about blueberries, visit www.myplate.gov. Read the full edition of this month's Tidbits here. This content is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you. 
Protein
Protein foods provide nutrients important for keeping your body healthy. Proteins are like building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. They are also building blocks for enzymes, hormones, and vitamins. Women over the age of 60 should eat 5–6-ounce equivalents of protein a day. Men over the age of 60 should eat 5 ½ to 6 ½ ounce equivalents. One ounce equivalent of protein is
To learn more about protein visit www.myplate.gov. Read this month's full edition of Tidbits here. This content is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you.  January's featured commodity is pears
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-lasting health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your body breaks down most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body's cells for use as energy. With diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it as well as it should. When there isn't enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age, race, shape, and size. With Type 1 the body does not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. With Type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly. Some healthy food choices include beans, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, tuna, and salmon. All of these can be found in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) package. To learn more about diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org. 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.  This month's featured commodity is canned plums!
Nutrition Labels
Here are some tips to help you read food labels: Servings per container—this part of the label shows you how many servings of food are in the container. One package of food may contain more than one serving. Servings size—this tells you exactly how much food counts as one serving. Calories—this is the total number of calories in one serving of the food. % Daily Value (%DV)—this is how much a nutrient in one serving of the food gives to a total daily diet. These values are based on the average adult, so they may not work for everyone. To learn more about the Nutrition Facts label, go to: www.fda.gov/nutritioneducation 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.  This month's featured commodity is canned pink salmon
Food Allergies
Food allergies can be very serious. If you have a food allergy, you cannot eat any of the food that you are allergic to. A food allergy affects your immune system, and it can make you very sick. For example, a food allergy might cause trouble breathing, itchy skin, vomiting, or other problems. Food allergies can be deadly for some people, so if you have a food allergy, it is very important to talk with your doctor and make sure you know what to do. A food intolerance is different from an allergy. A food intolerance does not involve the immune system; it happens when your body has trouble digesting a certain food. If you eat a food that you are intolerant to, it can cause problems like stomachache, heartburn, bloating, gas, or diarrhea. You may still be able to eat small amounts of the food if you have an intolerance. It is important to be aware of cross contamination when cooking for someone with a food allergy. Using an unwashed knife used to spread peanut butter to later prepare food for someone with a peanut allergy can have deadly results. When preparing food for yourself or anyone else with an allergy, ensure safe foods are not contaminated by utensils, cutting boards, plates, etc. that were exposed to allergens. Overall, it is very important to stay away from any foods that you are allergic to. Otherwise, eating a variety of fresh and natural foods can be a good way to help keep intolerances down. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits. Reprinted from materials provided by the Michigan Department of Education Household Nutrition Programs. 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.  October's featured commodity is canned kidney beans
What is CSFP?
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, also known as CSFP, is a USDA food program. People over the age of 60 who meet the income guidelines can receive a box of USDA commodities each month. Boxes contain healthy foods grown in the United States. All boxes have cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, rice or pasta, canned chicken, beef or fish, and peanut butter or beans. Eating a well-rounded diet with a variety of foods is important for staying healthy and maintaining energy as we age. Learn more in this months edition of Tidbits. Reprinted from materials provided by the Michigan Department of Education Household Nutrition Programs. 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. 
Benefits of Hydration
Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration. Dehydration can cause unclear thinking, mood changes, overheating, constipation, and kidney stones. Water helps your body
Your body needs more water when you are
Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! Reprinted from materials provided by the Michigan Department of Education Household Nutrition Programs. 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. 
Protein in Your Diet
Seafood; meat, poultry, and eggs; beans, peas, and lentils; and nuts, seeds, and soy products are part of the Protein Foods Group. Proteins help to build bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. They also assist in building enzymes, hormones, and vitamins. Proteins are one of three nutrients that provide calories (the others are fat and carbohydrates). Men and women over the age of 60 should be getting 5-6 oz of protein daily. Examples of an ounce of protein are: One egg One slice of deli turkey One Tablespoon of peanut butter ¼ cup of cooked beans For more information about protein and other food groups, visit www.myplate.gov. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! Reprinted from materials provided by the Michigan Department of Education Household Nutrition Programs. 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. |
Questions? Give us a call!Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola County Residents: 989-386-3805 Reminder CallsMonthly customers will receive an automated call the day before distribution reminding them to pick up their box. Archives
May 2023
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 contactus@mmcaa.org FOOD WAREHOUSE 2300 E Ludington Drive Clare, MI 48617 contactus@mmcaa.org WIC CLINIC 337 Lemke Street Midland, MI 48642 Phone 989-832-7310 Toll-Free 1-877-210-3169 WIC@mmcaa.org contactus@mmcaa.org |
BAY COUNTY
114 South Washington Avenue Bay City, MI 48708 Phone: 989-894-9060 contactus@mmcaa.org GLADWIN COUNTY 1302 Chatterton Street Gladwin, MI 48624 Phone: 989-426-2801 contactus@mmcaa.org MIDLAND COUNTY 1409 Washington Street Midland, MI 48640 Phone: 989-832-7377 contactus@mmcaa.org |
MECOSTA COUNTY
14330 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI 49307 Phone: 231-660-0271 contactus@mmcaa.org OSCEOLA COUNTY 240 E Church Street Reed City, MI 49677 Phone: 231-791-7078 contactus@mmcaa.org MUSKEGON COUNTY 878 Jefferson Street, Suite 2 Muskegon, MI 49440 Phone: 231-557-7622 contactus@mmcaa.org OCEANA COUNTY 907 S State Street Suite 102 Hart, MI 49420 Phone: 231-923-3066 contactus@mmcaa.org |
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:
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
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:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider