MUSKEGON, Mich. — Inmates at the Muskegon Correctional Facility are helping to grow thousands of pounds of produce—and it’s all going right into the community. The facility donates that food to six different local organizations including the YMCA Veggie Van.
Belisa Melton, the YMCA community collaborations director, explained how the Veggie Van works, saying, “Instead of them going to the stores, we go to them.”
The van has been around since 2011. It operates like your average farmers markets.
“You can see anything from squash, strawberries, blueberries, greens. Whatever’s in season, you name it, we have it,” said Melton.
Many areas in the Muskegon area are considered food deserts. Those are neighborhoods and communities that have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. The Veggie Van is helping to bridge those gaps.
The YMCA relies on grants to offer affordable fruits and vegetables purchased from local farmers. The organization also takes produce donations like from the Muskegon Correctional Facility.
“All of our produce leaves the facility for donation to local food pantries like YMCA Veggie Van,” said Brad Dean, the Muskegon Correctional Facility horticulture instructor.
Several horticulture programs were developed in correctional facilities across the state back in the ‘80s. There’s only one program left for men and it’s in Muskegon.
“When they are within two years of their release date, they usually are put into our programs,” said Dean. “So, when they leave the program, they actually have an opportunity to take the certified pesticide applicator and have a license when they go home.”
The facility donates hundreds of pounds of food every week.
“There’s 300 pounds of produce to YMCA Veggie Van and then last week we did over 700 pounds to Veggie Van. So, in two weeks we’ve done 1,000 pounds just to them. In the last two weeks, I think we’ve harvested almost 3,000 pounds of produce,” said Dean.
The inmates learn how to grow produce during a six-month program, which also helps the inmates grow.
Dean said, “Caring for something else besides themselves, I think it gives them a really good opportunity and a new outlook in a not-so-great situation.”
He told 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “Guys will say I feel like this is a great way to give back from the community that maybe I did take away from.”
Already this year, the Muskegon Correctional Facility has donated more than 6,500 pounds of food to the six different organizations it makes donations to.
The facility has donated a total of 6,590.25 pounds to the following organizations as of July 23:
- St. Mary Catholic Church—539.5 pounds
- Muskegon Rescue Mission—2,364.25 pounds
- Mission for Area People(MAP)/Harbor of Grace—1,414.75 pounds
- YMCA Veggie Van—2,271.75 pounds