Anna Almanza
Anna makes a conscious effort to purchase Michigan grown and produced products whenever possible to support local food and farming entrepreneurs in our state. She not only enjoys visiting the variety of farmers markets that the greater Lansing area has to offer, but since her job requires statewide travel, she also makes a point to visit farmers markets and farm stands across the state. Anna looks forward to the Farmers Markets at the Capitol events, and in the last year, she had the opportunity to participate in MIFMA's Racial Equity Committee. In her current role as the Policy Analyst & SNAP Outreach Coordinator at the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM), she leads FBCM’s effort to increase awareness, access, and enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This work provides an opportunity for her to interact with recipients and communities to increase awareness and discuss how to use SNAP benefits, such as Double Up Food Bucks, to increase their purchasing power in the local food system. It also provides her with an opportunity to share with MIFMA direct feedback from SNAP recipients regarding barriers and opportunities. She’s assisted other organizations in the past with their efforts to promote farmers markets directly to SNAP recipients.