United Natural Foods has granted over $1 million to fund initiatives to improve food systems in over 40 communities in the U.S. and Canada. As part of the company’s “Better for All” initiative, it has committed the funds to nonprofit organizations to foster equitable food access in vulnerable locations.
Nonprofit organizations focused on increasing the supply of organic food, improving access to healthy food for vulnerable populations, and advancing childhood nutrition education were considered for the grants. Forty-four of those who applied were given funding to support their efforts.
“We are thrilled to support this year’s grantees, which are pursuing a wide range of innovative and impactful ideas to support food equity and access in their local communities across more than 20 U.S. states and into Canada,” said Alisha Real, executive director of the UNFI Foundation, in a statement. “We know that food access is one area where UNFI can affect the greatest change and we are proud to support organizations that share our goal of providing affordable and nutritious food to all.”
One community organization, called the Southside Community Land Trust, was awarded the company’s first-ever Food Equity Project Grant earlier this year to facilitate food equity efforts by providing increased access to fresh foods in urban neighborhoods in need.
In 2021, UNFI-supported organizations created over 6,000 acres of organic farmland, helped 2,000 new organic farmers, delivered $7 million worth of fresh food to community members, created 31 school gardens, and provided healthy eating education to over 200,000 kids.
Related: Americans Concerned About Food Security; USDA to Invest Up to $300 Million in Organic Initiative