During Hunger Action Month, the Florida Blue Foundation is awarding $3.1 million in grants to eight community-based food initiatives across Florida, with programs designed to expand access to nutritious food and address the connection between food insecurity and chronic disease.
The grants will support organizations serving communities across counties including Bay, Broward, Clay, Flagler, Leon, Orange, Palm Beach and Pinellas. Programs will serve a range of populations, including farmworkers, students, uninsured residents, people experiencing homelessness and residents in rural communities.
According to the Florida Blue Foundation, approximately 3.6 million Floridians experience food insecurity, including more than 900,000 children. Limited access to nutritious food can also create additional challenges for people managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
One of the grant recipients with a direct Central Florida connection is the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, which will use its funding to expand school-based food pantry infrastructure in low-income Orange County communities. The initiative aims to give students and families greater access to healthy food options.
Other funded initiatives include a food and nutrition program for farmworkers and low-income families in Palm Beach County, a food access network serving uninsured Floridians, medically tailored food services for people living with chronic illnesses in Broward and Palm Beach counties, and food rescue efforts across Northeast Florida.
The grants also support programs that combine food access with nutrition education, cooking instruction, community gardens, agricultural training, and other services intended to improve long-term health outcomes.
“Hunger and chronic disease are deeply connected, and we know when we invest in food access, we invest in health,” said Susan Towler, vice president of corporate social responsibility and Florida Blue Foundation. “We’re partnering with organizations across Florida to break the cycle, ensuring that access to healthy food becomes a foundation for better health outcomes.”
In addition to its grantmaking, Florida Blue team members are volunteering with local food pantries, meal programs, and food distribution events throughout Florida.
The Florida Blue Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue and part of the GuideWell portfolio of companies.
