At South Michigan Food Bank, we know it takes a community to end hunger. That’s why we are proud to partner with B.Healthy Barry County, formerly Blue Zones Activate Barry County, a community-wide well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier in Barry County.
The term “Blue Zones” was coined by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Explorer and Fellow, to refer to communities where people not only live longer but enjoy a higher quality of life in their old age. Working with a team of scientists and demographers, his team identified 5 regions in the world that stood out for their inhabitants’ extraordinary longevity and vitality.
The Blue Zones organization applies the lessons learned from these communities to promote healthy living in communities throughout the United States. Their three-phase process guides communities to come together and transform their built environment and local food systems to reflect the lifestyle and environment of the world’s longest-lived people.


Over the last five years, Blue Zones Activate Barry County has guided and supported community leaders in implementing key policy changes, both permanent and semi-permanent, for broad and lasting impact. At the end of 2024, these efforts transitioned to a completely locally led initiative known as the B.Healthy Barry County Coalition.
South Michigan Food Bank supports one of the key philosophies of B.Healthy Barry County: access to fresh, local, and nutritious foods. Nutrient-dense foods support our physical and mental well-being. This provides community wide benefits such as reduced healthcare costs. Although the benefits of a balanced diet are vast, many hardworking families face difficult decisions, such as choosing less nutritious, cheaper options to be able to afford their basic needs. This is where we step in.
Working collaboratively through our Fresh Food Distributions program, SMFB supplies boxes filled with 20 pounds of fresh produce and B.Healthy Barry County provides site volunteers and nutritious recipe ideas based on the box’s contents. Boxes are distributed in Assyria and Johnstown Townships, located in the southeastern corner of the county, where a Blue Zones Activate Barry County study found that residents had disproportionately low access to available food resources. Together, we support our neighbors with access to fresh fruits and vegetables as well as guidance on how to incorporate these items into our daily lives.
SMFB and B.Healthy Barry County envision a world where every person has access to the food necessary to lead a long and healthy life. We are working hand-in-hand to make this a reality in Barry County. Help us nourish our neighbors and improve our community’s health by getting involved with SMFB and B.Healthy Barry County!

“Sharing a vision of a nourished community, our partnership allows us to extend our impact. Together, we are able to address both access and education, giving our neighbors the tools to lead healthier lives” -Catherine Getty