In Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for a more localized food system, and therefore more secure supply chains?In this episode, we look at the full system of food security in Montana; from producer to consumer, hearing about the reality of the situation, pathways to improvement & engagement, and we hear about locally-guided entities across the state doing incredible work to improve food security in their community. Interviews feature the Child Nutrition Manager & Policy Director from the Montana Food Bank Network, and the Specialist for the Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center.This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. LINKS:Featured:Montana Food Bank Network - find your local food bank on their mapMT Food Bank Network Backpack ProgramMT Food Bank Network School Pantry ProgramGreat Northern Development CorporationEastern Montana Food and Ag Development CenterHeadwaters Foundation (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana)Some Food Pantries & Access Resources:Helping Hands - Hardin, MTMissoula Food BankMobile Market, for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City HarvestBillings Food BankFlathead Food Bank - Kalispell, MTLivingston Food Resource CenterHunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program Montana Veterans Meat LockerThe Producer PartnershipCuster County Food Bank - Miles City, MTHavre Food BankSW Montana Veterans Food Pantry SNAP in MontanaWIC in MT - Women, Infants, & Children - food supportSummer EBT, Sun Bucks, InformationFamilies: text “FOOD” to 304-304 to see nearby summer meal locations or visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals Native-led Food Sovereignty Programs:FAST BlackfeetPeople’s Food Sovereignty Program - CSKTPeople's Food Sovereignty Program - Stories for Action podcast episodeJoe & Kathy Kipp of Blackfeet Nation - Stories for Action podcast episodeRocky Boy Sustainability & Food Sovereignty ProgramWoicago Tipi Cooperative Farm - Fort PeckYellow Bird Life Ways Center - Northern CheyenneDay Eagle Hope Project - Fort BelknapAll Nations Health Center - Missoula Resources for Food Producers: MT Food & Ag Development CentersMontana Cooperative Development CenterMT Department of AgricultureGrow Through Agriculture grantBusiness Enhancement Program (food/ag)Business Acceleration & Marketing grant (food/ag)Value Added Producer grantFood Hubs & Localizing MT Food Systems:Abundant Montana - connect producers and customers to local food sourcesHopa MountainFarm Connect MT (Formerly CFAC)Trust Montana - community land trustsWestern Montana Growers Co-opMontana Food Hub - Great Falls & North Central MTRolling Plains Co-op - Northeast MontanaYellowstone Valley Food HubOld Salt Co-opMontana Cooperative Development CenterThe Farm BillUSDA funding for localized food: announced Fall 2024Find your Montana Legislators Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.  #storiesforaction #food #local #localfood #foodsecurity #foodinsecurity #montana #406 #montanafarm #montanaranch #snap #foodbank #montanafoo