MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded more than $200,000 to ensure that more Alabamians have access to safe and healthy food.
The five grants come from the state’s Healthy Food Financing Program. The program was created by the Alabama Legislature in 2015 and is intended to ensure that fresh and healthy foods are available to Alabamians at affordable prices.
“This program, which I supported while serving as lieutenant governor, is making a difference in areas all across Alabama,” Gov. Ivey said. “I applaud the many volunteers, food vendors and growers, and service organizations who are the backbone of this program’s success.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.
“This program provides the needed funds for many different types of venues all with the same objective to ensure the availability of healthy food whether it be in rural areas or in communities within larger cities where access may be lacking,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in this program.”
Those awarded grants are:
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions (Sylacauga) – $50,000 to provide food to low-income families in Coosa, Shelby, Talladega, Randolph and Calhoun counties. The faith-based, non-profit organization has helped provide fresh food to more than 29,000 families and 39 schools in the five-county region since its creation in 2011.
City of Aliceville Farmers Market– $40,000 to renovate part of the Aliceville city administration building to be used as a year-round market serving Pickens and surrounding counties.
Anointed Warrior Hill Hope Center (Pine Level community) – $58,000 to provide food assistance to low-income residents, the elderly and homeless in Pike County and part of Montgomery County. The ministry is currently assisting 51 families and will use additional funds to meet the increase demand for food assistance.
Compassion & Hope Food Basket (Brent) – $20,000 to purchase additional equipment for its food distribution center. The center currently serves hot lunches for 80 to 100 people daily in Bibb County in addition to providing for other needs.
The Pantry @ Central Presbyterian (Mobile) – $44,000 to purchase a food truck to expand its food distribution in low-income areas in the city of Mobile. The Pantry serves more than 6,400 each month in the city.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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Media Contact
Jim Plott or Mike Presley
ADECA Communications and External Affairs
(334) 242-5525
