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 map MT Food Bank Network Backpack Program MT Food Bank Network School Pantry Program Great Northern Development Corporation Eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center Headwaters Foundation (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana) Some Food Pantries & Access Resources: Helping Hands - Hardin, MT Missoula Food Bank Mobile Market, for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City Harvest Billings Food Bank Flathead Food Bank - Kalispell, MT Livingston Food Resource Center Hunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program  Montana Veterans Meat Locker The Producer Partnership Custer County Food Bank - Miles City, MT Havre Food Bank SW Montana Veterans Food Pantry  SNAP in Montana WIC in MT - Women, Infants, & Children - food support Summer EBT, Sun Bucks, Information Families: 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 Blackfeet People’s Food Sovereignty Program - CSKT People's Food Sovereignty Program - Stories for Action podcast episode Joe & Kathy Kipp of Blackfeet Nation - Stories for Action podcast episode Rocky Boy Sustainability & Food Sovereignty Program Woicago Tipi Cooperative Farm - Fort Peck Yellow Bird Life Ways Center - Northern Cheyenne Day Eagle Hope Project - Fort Belknap All Nations Health Center - Missoula  Resources for Food Producers:  MT Food & Ag Development Centers Montana Cooperative Development Center MT Department of Agriculture Grow Through Agriculture grant Business Enhancement Program (food/ag) Business Acceleration & Marketing grant (food/ag) Value Added Producer grant Food Hubs & Localizing MT Food Systems: Abundant Montana - connect producers and customers to local food sources Hopa Mountain Farm Connect MT (Formerly CFAC) Trust Montana - community land trusts Western Montana Growers Co-op Montana Food Hub - Great Falls & North Central MT Rolling Plains Co-op - Northeast Montana Yellowstone Valley Food Hub Old Salt Co-op Montana Cooperative Development Center The Farm Bill USDA funding for localized food: announced Fall 2024 Find 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