Franciscan’s Fresh Start Market opening in Michigan City

Franciscan’s Fresh Start Market opening in Michigan City
Food pantry just one part of program addressing food insecurity
MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – Franciscan Health’s latest Fresh Start Market is slated to open in
Michigan City next month as part of the healthcare ministry’s ongoing efforts to fight food
insecurity.
Beginning Dec. 4, the food pantry will be open to Franciscan Health patients on the first
Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central and to the general public on the third
Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central at 301 W. Homer St. A valid photo ID is
required for entry.
“For our Franciscan ministry, food is medicine,” said Franciscan Health Community Health
Improvement Director Danielle Crowder. “We look forward to strengthening our approach to
whole person care through our Fresh Start Market operations in Michigan City and surrounding
communities.”
Franciscan’s Food Insecurity Program originated in 2021 in Lake County, when the Franciscan
Health Foundation of Northern Indiana partnered with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to
create a three-phase Food Insecurity Program.
Phase 1 was the Mobile Markets, which provide food to those in need with drive-through events.
Phase II was the development of the Fresh Start Markets in Hammond, Crown Point and now
Michigan City, which allow those in need to shop free of charge. In addition to supplying food, the
markets work to identify the underlying causes and health implications of food insecurity with
education, nutrition and recipes.
Phase III was the Food Rx and Produce Prescription programs, which allow low-income
individuals and their families -- identified through the programs at the Fresh Start Markets,
screenings and referrals -- to receive additional, specific foods to meet their individual health
need.
More information about the new Fresh Start Market in Michigan City is available by calling (219)
221-4153.
The Fresh Start Markets are supported by the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Food Insecurity
Program. Contributions to the Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana’s food

insecurity program can be made online. More information is available by calling the Foundation
at (219) 661-3401.