OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Ottawa County's food operation is taking a pause due to budget cuts. Ottawa Food is a collaborative operation that combines both the public and private sector to help with food security in the county.
That includes the county government itself, which helps fund both the supplies and materials it uses and the salary of the operations coordinator.
In the most recent budget talks, commissioners were able to keep the funding for the operation but were not able to help fund the coordinator position.
That's because the position is funded through Ottawa County's Department of Public Health Education, which received a budget cut.
So now some programs within the operation are paused until leaders can figure out how to move forward without the position.
“The board is essential trying to look at this is the scenario we face, rather than start getting hyperbolic about it or anything like that. Our focus moving forward into the new year really leans into trying to find the best solutions we can, now that the model has been altered,” said Ottawa Food Collaborative Board Member Christian Kleinjans.
Some programs included in the pause are the Senior Project Fresh program and the gleaning and produce donations from local farmers markets. The Senior Project Fresh program helps hand out farmers markets coupons to seniors living in the area.
There's no word how long this pause will last but board members say they will continue to meet until they are able to figure a solution to this change.
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