Seven cities win $600K in grants to boost nutrition and community health

By African American Mayors Affiliation

Greater than half one million {dollars} was awarded to seven cities to advertise vitamin entry, affordability and training.

The African American Mayors Affiliation (AAMA) and the American Beverage Basis for a Wholesome America (ABFHA), in partnership with American Beverage, at this time named seven cities with African American mayors as recipients of serious grants to advance important applications that enhance neighborhood well being.

ABFHA and AAMA awarded the seven grants totaling $600,000 to cities throughout 4 inhabitants classes:

Giant-Sized Metropolis ($175K): Atlanta, Ga.

Mid-Sized Metropolis ($125K): New Orleans, La. and Savannah, Ga.

Small-Sized Metropolis ($75K): Dumfries, Va. and Maywood, In poor health. 

Cities ($12.5K): Earle, Ark. and Rankin, Pa.

The announcement occurred through the African American Mayors Affiliation Nationwide Convention in Washington, D.C., April 16-18.

“We’re thrilled to have the ability to supply this thrilling grant alternative to those cities which is able to enable them the chance to construct upon their current applications and develop new wholesome meals and vitamin applications for his or her residents,” mentioned Phyllis Dickerson, CEO of the African American Mayors Affiliation. “We’re honored to once more companion with the American Beverage Basis for a Wholesome America to handle the difficulty of meals insecurity and strengthen the well being of our communities.”

Mayors within the chosen cities will apply the funds in direction of sources resembling neighborhood gardens, meals pantries, produce distribution and wholesome household cooking courses. These funds will assist entice further investments for the vitamin points these cities are going through.

“Diet entry, affordability and training are cornerstones of a wholesome neighborhood. That’s why America’s beverage corporations are proud to companion with AAMA to help mayors as they work tirelessly to enhance the well being and well-being of our communities,” mentioned Kevin Keane, president and CEO of American Beverage and president of the ABFHA Board of Administrators. “Our deep congratulations to the successful mayors and their cities on the excellent efforts. These grants, coupled with delivering alternative and knowledge, will assist our communities make the perfect selections for themselves and their households.” 

Since launching the partnership in 2022, 16 cities and cities have obtained greater than $2 million in grants from ABFHA and AAMA to help vitamin and meals entry applications.

Grant winners had been chosen by a panel of judges composed of former mayors chosen by AAMA. Descriptions of every successful program might be discovered under.

Atlanta, Ga. plans to collaborate with communities, supply native groceries and create a Goodr Grocery retailer in a public faculty the place youngsters and households can store for high-quality, nutritious groceries for gratis. Although some evaluate it to a meals pantry, the Goodr Grocery retailer takes the free grocery buying expertise to the following degree with a bodily retailer expertise in a public faculty.

New Orleans, La. funds will go in direction of the expanded supply of wholesome, medically tailor-made meals by way of Prime Field Meals (TBF), a product prescription program that companions with neighborhood well being organizations to determine dietary wants of sufferers with food regimen associated sicknesses. The enlargement would come with anticipating households and households with newborns by way of the New Orleans Well being Division’s Maternal and Baby Well being (MCH) applications and permit the distribution of ready frozen meals along with a field of recent vegetables and fruit.

Savannah, Ga. will use its funding to strengthen and supply additional capability to Wholesome Savannah’s Savannah-Chatham Meals Coverage Council (SCFPC) to handle the highest meals techniques priorities recognized by the neighborhood and handle the foundation causes for meals insecurity. The neighborhood is within the rising arm of the meals system which focuses on city agriculture, elevated capability for farmers and bettering entry to the sources wanted to develop produce.

Dumfries, Va., will use its award to provoke the Boys and Women Golf equipment’ “Wholesome Habits” curriculum, which focuses on educating youngsters about vitamin, bodily exercise, psychological well being help and wholesome residing practices. Partnerships with native meals banks, well being clinics and neighborhood organizations will develop entry to nutritious meals, healthcare and secure leisure alternatives.

Maywood, In poor health. will apply its funds in direction of Dion’s Chicago Dream, a corporation that has been working to convey well being fairness to much less advantaged communities in Chicago and rework the panorama of meals insecurity. Dion’s Dream has created a Dream Vault, a cutting-edge, Wi-Fi-enabled locker to be positioned in a retails retailer or different neighborhood location which meals insecure households can entry weekly with a singular digital code to get a field of wholesome recent vegetables and fruit. It makes the identical degree of high-quality produce accessible to residents in want with a vacation spot system to match Dream Deliveries’ groundbreaking supply system.

Earle, Ark. will set up The Roots and Routes; Earle’s Meals Entry Initiative which incorporates establishing a farmer’s market that includes native producers, creating neighborhood gardens at accessible places, growing vitamin teaching programs in partnership with the college district, and making a meals coverage council to handle long-term meals system wants.

Rankin, Pa. will put its funding towards Rankin Christian Heart (RCC) which has offered companies and help to the Rankin neighborhood since 1904. RCC developed Wholesome Neighborhood Plate Nights as a option to convey households collectively in a secure surroundings and be educated, entertained and uplifted. They spotlight the successes of younger individuals, have a good time the household and help the neighborhood’s small companies as they buy meals and invite presenters from native suppliers, together with utilizing the time to survey households to study in regards to the companies and help they want.

AAMA is the one group devoted to representing over 500 African American mayors throughout the US. AAMA seeks to empower native leaders for the advantage of their residents. The function of the AAMA contains taking positions on public insurance policies that influence the vitality and sustainability of cities; offering mayors with management and administration instruments; and making a discussion board for member mayors to share greatest practices associated to municipal administration.

The American Beverage Basis for a Wholesome America seeks to make a big contribution to the well being of native communities by offering grants to help neighborhood organizations that work to advance each the bodily well being of their native residents and the environmental well being of their communities. The Basis is a 501(c)(3) created and funded by America’s non-alcoholic beverage business and is a mirrored image of the business’s longstanding custom of giving again to communities. Be taught extra at beveragefoundation.org.

Interviews/video playlist of grant recipients might be accessed right here.