City of Milwaukee awards Fresh Food Access Fund Grants

MILWAUKEE – The City of Milwaukee is awarding a new round of Fresh Food Access Fund grants to seven for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that will support healthy food initiatives in Milwaukee.

The Fresh Food Access Fund is providing a total of $100,000 to support for-profit and not-for-profit efforts that increase the availability of healthy food options in underserved areas. This year’s grant recipients are located in neighborhoods on the north and south sides of Milwaukee. All awardees are required to match the Fresh Food Access Funds, so the grants will leverage at least $200,000 for efforts that add and improve healthy food access throughout the city.

“Milwaukeeans in every zip code deserve access to fresh and healthy foods,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “These funds will make a direct impact in our neighborhoods by encouraging healthier lifestyles.”

“I want to thank our community partners who are providing fresh and nutritious foods to Milwaukee families and children, especially to those in underserved areas,” said Department of City Development Commissioner Lafayette L. Crump. “We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to fostering healthier and stronger Milwaukee neighborhoods through the Fresh Food Access Fund.”

Grants can go toward a range of initiatives that promote healthy food goals. In previous years, matching Fresh Food Access Fund grants were awarded to 48 different projects.

A review panel that included representatives from within and outside city government considered all the applications for the Fresh Food Access Fund program. Individual grants range in size from five thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars for large capital projects.
The grant recipients are:

• 4th Dimension Sobriety | $5,000 | Upgrading the three raised garden beds currently on their property so that they are useable for growing fresh food
• Ebenezer Stone Ministry | $25,000 | Purchase of new refrigeration equipment to maintain the ability to store meat and dairy
• Food For Health | $20,000 | Acquisition and installation of Smart Snack healthy vending machines to be installed at various locations in the City of Milwaukee
• Friedens Food Pantry | $20,000 | Purchase of new refrigeration equipment to maintain the ability to store meat and dairy
• Hundred Acre LLC | $20,000 | Purchase of a delivery van, which would allow for greater efficiency and faster deliveries of fresh food to vendors
• Riverworks Development Corporation | $5,000 | Purchase and installation of signage along the Beerline Trail and other equipment related to the Riverwest Farmer’s Market
• The Gathering of SE Wisconsin | $5,000 | Purchase of a new freezer to enhance food preservation

More information on the program is available at milwaukee.gov/FFAF.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.