Oakland County Family Market Day Promotes Healthy Eating

Oakland County Family Market Day Promotes Healthy Eating

by | Jul 9, 2025 | Local News

Oakland County Family Market Day Promotes Healthy Eating for Oakland County Families

Post Date:07/09/2025 1:00 PM

People standing at an information table

Pontiac, Mich. – The Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages Oakland County residents to participate in their annual Family Market Day events this summer. Coupons for locally grown produce worth $5 each are available to residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or who are enrolled in Oakland County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

“Family Market Day links residents to locally grown Michigan produce and encourages healthy eating,” said Kate Guzman, health officer at Oakland County Health Division. “If you’ve never purchased fresh, local produce before, this is a great opportunity to try shopping at a Farmer’s Market.”

Family Market Day events will occur on the following dates:

  • Saturday, July 19, at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 24, at the Oak Park Farmers Market, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used during the event. Coupon distribution ends 30 minutes prior to the market’s closing. No registration is necessary.

In addition to $5 coupons for produce, resources and a variety of activities for families will be available. The Family Market Day at Oakland County Farmers Market will include inflatables and yard games for families and Family Market Day at Oak Park Farmers Market will include cooking demonstrations, face-painting and a petting zoo.

Family Market Days are made possible in part by Ageways, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Henry Ford West Bloomfield, and Trinity Health.

For more information, visit oakgov.com/health, @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Kelsey Merz at merzk@oakgov.com or (248) 365-8954.

 

Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP)

 Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) was launched by Oakland County Health Division in 2009 as a collaboration of local government, hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, businesses, and citizens working to increase and promote healthy eating and physical activity opportunities.

HOP began hosting Family Market Days in 2009 to engage entire families in healthy eating practices and encourage physical activity. The partnership expanded to include older adults in 2017 by hosting Senior Market Days.

For media inquiries, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County public information officer, at 248-202-9668.

Mackinac Bridge contribute $193 million in economic output

Mackinac Bridge contribute $193 million in economic output

by | Jul 9, 2025 | Regional News

 

 

MBA header June 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2025  		 MEDIA CONTACT
James Lake
906-250-0993
LakeJ1@Michigan.gov

Study shows Mackinac Bridge operation, events contribute $193 million in economic output statewide

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) today accepted an economic impact study showing that the bridge’s operation, tourism and events contributed $193 million annually to the state’s economy in direct, indirect and induced spending, supporting 1,449 jobs.

 

The study, performed under a contract with Public Sector Consultants, found that for every $1 in tolls paid at the bridge, $7.27 was generated in spending in Michigan. An economic impact of $161.6 million was concentrated in the Straits area counties of Mackinac, Emmet and Cheboygan. Results of the study were presented during the MBA’s July 9 meeting on Mackinac Island.

 

The study also examined the economic impact of the Annual Bridge Walk, which in 2024 had nearly 33,000 participants, stimulated $3 million in spending statewide, with $2.4 million spent in those neighboring counties. The event also generated $250,000 in state and local taxes used to support public safety, local infrastructure, schools, and other public services.

 

“We’ve always known that the operation of the Mackinac Bridge, as well as special events including the Annual Bridge Walk, have had a significant impact on the local communities and beyond,” said Authority Vice Chairman William Milliken. “We’re so pleased to see this study confirms and validates the positive impact it has for businesses and local governments.”

 

Other notable study points include:

 

  • Nearly half of the 15,000 people surveyed for the study said enjoying views of the bridge was one of the main purposes for crossing.
  • One-third of the roughly two million non-local visitors to the bridge came from outside of Michigan.
  • Nearly two-thirds of areas businesses said that the Annual Bridge Walk positively affected their businesses.
  • Nearly half of the survey respondents who participated in the walk said they stayed one or more nights locally before the event.
  • Participants in the Annual Bridge Walk who made it an overnight trip spent an average of $224.93 on lodging, food and beverages, shopping, transportation, and other recreation. Participants who walked the bridge as a day trip spent an average of $44.05.
  • MBA operational spending generates more than $100,000 per year in local taxes in the three-county area.

 

A copy of the report’s executive summary is attached. A copy of the full report is posted on the Mackinac Bridge Authority website.
Updated WIC Income Guidelines Help More Families

Updated WIC Income Guidelines Help More Families

by | Jul 8, 2025 | Regional News

Updated WIC Income Guidelines Help More Oakland County Families Qualify for Nutritious Food

Post Date:07/08/2025 1:18 PM

Pontiac, Mich. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set new income guidelines for a vital program which helps families receive nutritious food. Beginning June 1, 2025, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) broadened the income limits and more Oakland County families may now qualify for the program.

Under the new guidelines, a family of four may now qualify with an annual gross income level of $59,478 ($28.59 per hour) or less. Families who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families already meet the income qualifications for WIC. Updated income guidelines by family size are as follows:

 

Michigan WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines – 2025-2026

Family Size* Hourly Weekly Bi-weekly Monthly Annual
1 $13.91 $557 $1,114 $2,413 $28,953
2 $18.81 $753 $1,505 $3,261 $39,128
3 $23.70 $949 $1,897 $4,109 $49,303
4 $28.59 $1,144 $2,288 $4,957 $59,478
5 $33.48 $1,340 $2,679 $5,805 $69,653
6 $38.37 $1,536 $3,071 $6,653 $79,828
7 $43.27 $1,731 $3,462 $7,501 $90,003
8 $48.16 $1,927 $3,853 $8,349 $100,178
For each additional family member, add: x $196 $392 $848 $10,175

 

*If you are pregnant, include the number of infants you are expecting.

“WIC ensures that parents and families receive nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to community resources”, said Kate Guzmán, Oakland County health officer. “I encourage families who have not qualified in the past to reach out to a local WIC office to see if they are eligible for these great benefits now.”

WIC provides benefits through the Michigan WIC EBT card to buy specific supplemental foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, bread, whole wheat pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula at certain grocery stores and pharmacies. The monthly food package can range from $70 to $250, depending on family size, life stage and food package selections.

WIC’s mission is to improve the health of pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 by providing healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, client-centered services, and health screenings and referrals to health care providers and other community resources. In the United States, WIC serves almost 40% of infants according to USDA.

Oakland County has eight WIC offices to serve the community:

  • C.A.R.E.S. of Farmington (Colette’s Place) – 27840 Independence St., Farmington Hills, 48336
  • Easterseals – 1010 E. West Maple Rd., Walled Lake, 48390
  • Holly Presbyterian Church – 207 E. Maple St., Holly, 48442
  • Lakepoint Community Church – 1550 W. Drahner Rd., Oxford, 48371
  • Madison Heights – 711 W. 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, 48071
  • Oakland County North Oakland Health Center – 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Bldg. 34E, Pontiac, 48341
  • Pontiac OLHSA – 196 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Pontiac, 48343
  • Oakland County South Oakland Health Center – 27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076

For questions, and to see if you are eligible for the WIC program, call 248-858-1272.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bill Mullan, Oakland County Public Information Officer, 248-202-9668

Second Adopt-A-Highway cleanup coming Saturday

Second Adopt-A-Highway cleanup coming Saturday

by | Jul 8, 2025 | Transportation

newsroom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2025 		 MEDIA CONTACT
Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
WeingartenD@Michigan.gov

Second Adopt-A-Highway cleanup coming Saturday

Fast facts:

  • The second Adopt-A-Highway pickup of the year is July 12-20.
  • Adopt-A-Highway volunteers collected more than 36,000 bags of trash last year.
  • Sections of highway in parts of the state are still available to adopt. Go to Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway for more information.

LANSING, Mich. ­- Motorists should be on the lookout beginning Saturday as Adopt-A-Highway volunteers fan out across the state picking up litter. Participants in the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) program will clean highway roadsides from July 12 to 20 during the second of three scheduled pickups this year.

The popular Adopt-A-Highway program began in Michigan in 1990. Today, 35 years later, around 2,600 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway. Last year alone, these volunteers collected more than 36,000 bags of trash.

Getting involved in Adopt-A-Highway is straightforward. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway.

When working in a highway right of way, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash.

Sections of highway are available for adoption all over the state. Interested groups can get more information on joining the program at www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway.

The year’s final Adopt-A-Highway pickup is scheduled for the fall, from Sept. 20 to 28.

MDOT public open house July 30 on pedestrian bridge study

MDOT public open house July 30 on pedestrian bridge study

by | Jul 8, 2025 | Transportation

 

 
newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT

July 8, 2025                                                                              Diane Cross

                                                                  CrossD2@Michigan.gov

MDOT public open house July 30 on pedestrian bridge study

in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties

 

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) invites the public to provide their input on the usage of pedestrian bridges in their community. This open house is part of a series that will be held in different locations around the Metro Region.

Attendees will be able to view posters, take a survey, and view a presentation outlining MDOT’s efforts through this study to better understand the usage of state-owned pedestrian bridges in the region.

Who:

Interested residents

Community stakeholders

Local businesses

MDOT staff and consultants

When:

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

6 – 8 p.m.

Presentation begins at 6:15 p.m.

Where:

The Hawk Community Center – Black Box Room

29995 W 12 Mile Rd.,

Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Accessibility:

Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for effective participation should contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or CurryO@Michigan.gov, preferably at least five business days prior to the scheduled meeting. Forms are located on the Title VI webpage. Requests made after this timeframe will be evaluated and honored to the extent possible.

Public input:

If you use one or more pedestrian bridges in the Metro Region, please fill out and share this interactive map/survey If you have comments or questions regarding the study, please email MDOT-Metro-Communications@Michigan.gov.  

Sign up to receive project updates on the pedestrian bridge study.

Background:

MDOT is conducting a study of state-owned pedestrian bridges in the Metro Region. The study team will collect data on current conditions and travel patterns, perform on-site observations, and engage with people across the region to identify priorities and better understand community needs. The study’s data will be used to develop a future strategic plan for preserving non-motorized connectivity with a right-sized network of pedestrian bridges and other active transportation facilities.