Building a Healthier Community Together in Battle Creek

For the past two years, a collaborative partnership between Sprout BC and Bronson Battle Creek has helped bring healthy food, wellness resources and preventive care directly into the community through twice-monthly Nutrition & Wellness Pop-Ups.

At each event, community members receive free fruits and vegetables (courtesy of Sprout BC) while also connecting with health education (provided by Bronson's Community Health team) and preventive screenings (provided by our WMed Residents). This year, the Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Food Services team expanded the experience by offering recipe tastings and seasonal recipes, helping participants turn fresh ingredients into healthy meals at home.

Since July 2024, the collaboration has served more than 4,000 households (total visits), creating consistent opportunities for Battle Creek community members to improve their health and well-being. Beyond the numbers, the events have helped create a welcoming and trusted community space. As Sunny Richards, the Logistics and Distribution Manager for Sprout BC says, “We've been able to fight the stigma of accepting food assistance by creating a welcoming, diverse and educational experience. Community members are happy to make visiting our events a part of their routine and trust our organizations as a helping hand on their journey to wellness.”

The impact extends far beyond the food distributed. Data collected from participants tells a powerful story:

• 55% of participants reported that increased access to fresh produce has improved their energy levels.
• 60% of participants reported that having this access to fresh produce has positively impacted their overall health.

These outcomes demonstrate that access to nutritious food is more than a convenience. It is a critical factor in helping individuals feel better, live healthier and take a more active role in managing their well-being.

The success of this collaboration also created momentum for something even bigger. Using the data and stories gathered through the Nutrition & Wellness Pop-Ups, Sprout BC secured grant funding from the Bronson Battle Creek Community Partners Board to launch a pilot Produce Prescription Program, which is currently underway. This innovative initiative builds on the proven success of the pop-ups by helping individuals with specific health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, access the nutritious foods that can support better health outcomes.

Together, Bronson Battle Creek and Sprout BC are demonstrating what is possible when community organizations, healthcare providers and local partners work side by side: improving access to healthy food, empowering healthier choices and creating lasting pathways to wellness for families across Battle Creek.