Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - henry ford jackson/allegiance health is establishing a non-profit human milk donor bank to support infant health

Human milk is generally considered the optimal source of nutrition for most infants, and is especially important for premature babies in need of additional nutrients for development. However, many do not receive breast milk for the recommended amount of time due to physical, cultural, and societal barriers. One way to help ensure every baby has access to breast milk, regardless of their circumstances, is through a milk bank, which allows women with excess milk to donate to those in need. There are fewer than 30 milk banks in the united states, and only one in michigan. Hospital clinicians, as proponents of donor milk, know firsthand the benefits and need for increased availability. The milk bank will operate a full intake and donation program that includes intaking milk donations, processing milk with heat for pasteurization, storing milk, and queuing outgoing milk. The donor bank will have the ability to serve patients within a 60-mile radius of henry ford jackson/allegiance health's main hospital in jackson county, with the potential to expand further once established. The human donor milk bank will increase access in michigan to a critical source of nutrients for babies and help to create a strong foundation for infants and their families at the start of life. The federal funds will support the space renovation for the milk bank, as well as the purchase of equipment and technology for this effort.