Smart food lockers, first of their kind in Michigan

Kelsey Klont
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Kelsey Klont/TCJ)

Food insecurity is not rare in today’s world; there is some level of food insecurity everywhere you look. In Eaton County 12.8% of its population, about 14,000 people, is subject to the challenges and stigma of food insecurity.

Our hard-working local food pantries are a great source for individuals and families who struggle with food insecurity, yet they are only open during daytime hours several days a week. So, they are not accessible for those who are not available during that time. Now there is a resource that can be of assistance anytime of the day or night.

Officially rolling out next month, new smart, refrigerated food lockers will serve as the newest resource providing food for those who face food insecurity issues. They will go hand-in-hand with the many people and projects working to feed local residents. These food lockers are stationed in front of the Primary Care Building of University of Michigan Health- Sparrow Eaton, located at 123 Lansing Street in Charlotte.

These smart, refrigerated food lockers are the first of their kind to be used for food security in the state of Michigan. With innovative new technology they are secure, helping to reduce the many barriers that face local residents who are in need of food. When an order is placed, residents can access a reserved locker by a code that will be sent via smart phone and can be entered into the kiosk during the scheduled time that works best within their schedule. Once entered the locker designated will open where their food items can be received.

This project of bringing these smart, refrigerated food lockers to Eaton County is a collaborative partnership between the new Eaton County Food Council; Eaton Community Health (ECH), a local independent nonprofit; Greater Lansing Food Bank; Capital Region Community Foundation; Barry- Eaton District Health Department; and University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Eaton.

Greater Lansing Food Bank and its local pantries will supply the food, while ECH will manage the program and set up local nonprofits as partners to refer residents to the program and help deliver food to lockers. Partners can order food for residents who do not have the resources themselves.

If someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please encourage them to seek out assistance through the capable teams at local food pantries. Once the program rolls out, certain pantries can be a resource to connect the people who may need afterhours access to the smart food lockers. More information about how to participate in this program will be provided when the locker program officially rolls out in October. Information and updates about the lockers will be available on the ECH website at ech-eaton.org or by calling Kalli Dempsey at 517-652-3228.