(Flint, Mich.)- A mobile app designed to connect Flint residents with healthy food will host a launch party on Saturday, September 18. Flint Eats will enable residents to share and discover information about local food for purchase at retailers. The official launch of the Flint Eats App will be held at the Ophelia Bonner Park from 3 – 7 p.m. The event also marks the re-grand opening of the park which has been cleaned up to become a community gathering place once again. The park is located at 5300 North Street, in Flint.
The event will include food, kickball, raffle prizes and a community resource fair. Attendees should bring a lawn chair to the event. Sponsors include Flint Innovative Solutions, Keep Genesee Beautiful and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
The mobile app was designed and is managed by Flint Innovative Solutions. The platform allows residents to share information about quality food that is available from retailers. In addition, local food providers are able to advertise healthy food to residents through the interface.
“Our goal is to get local retailers to provide high quality healthy food to Flint residents,” said Athena McKay executive director for Flint Innovative Solutions. “We also want to educate residents on how to make SMART eating habits.”
Flint Eats allows residents to share information with each other through the map-based interface that provides visual indicators about available quality food offerings. It also includes a reference library to help residents learn about foods.
Confirmed vendors for the event include Hamilton Community Health Network, Hasselbring Senior Center, Healthier Black Elders, City of Flint Police Department, Genesee Health System’s bus and Oak Street Health.
Additional questions regarding the launch party should be directed to Athena McKay at 810-529-6607 or athena@flintinnovativesolutions.org. More information regarding Flint Eats or the launch party is available by visiting their Facebook page at Flint Eats or their website at www.flintinnovativesolutions.org/flinteats.
