Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Tina Dowe Swanton, CEO of the Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen, gives us the scoop on this incredible project that will increase access to quality food in the City of Saginaw. The Food Club will feel and act like your favorite grocery store, but with a very different approach to pricing. Members will pay $12 to $16 a month—a sliding scale based on income and household size—and shop with points. The Food Club will also accept cash or credit/debit card for payment. Member households can shop daily until all points are used. The membership fee also offers access to nutrition education opportunities.

A primary goal of the Food Club is to support those in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population who often fall into the 'benefits cliff' whil also working in tandem with other amazing organizations addressing food insecurity like Hidden Harvest and East Side Soup Kitchen.

Join us for a look at a community-driven initiative that's set to make a big impact in 2026!

Show Notes:

00:00 Let's Eat Some Baked Goods

00:45 Farm-to-Table Delights

03:08 The Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen

04:38 Addressing Food Insecurity

05:55 The Benefits Gap and ALICE Population

08:33 Community Efforts and Emergency Food Systems

13:54 Construction and Future Plans

15:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts