TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Second Harvest of the Big Bend recently received a significant grant aimed at improving food access in rural areas. This $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation will be used over four years.
The funding will enhance the FARMacy Program, a mobile market that delivers fresh groceries to families across 15 counties. The Florida Blue Foundation is also supplying food for the FARMacy trailer and helping the program expand throughout North Florida.
Second Harvest CEO Monique Ellsworth expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the importance of reaching communities that lack nearby grocery stores and face high food costs. “Florida Blue Foundation is truly a community partner,” she said.
Susan Towler, Executive Director of the Florida Blue Foundation, praised the initiative, noting its role in improving food access for rural communities. “By working together, we can create a healthier food system for all Floridians,” she stated.
The FARMacy Program is more than just a mobile grocery store; it solves transportation issues that often make it hard for families to access healthy foods.
Recent data reinforces the need for such programs. A study by Feeding America revealed that nearly 10% of Florida households face food insecurity. Mobile markets like FARMacy are steps toward bridging that gap.
For more insights on food access challenges, check out the full report from Feeding America here.
To learn more about Second Harvest and their ongoing efforts, you can visit their website.
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