Food Bank Coalition has received $9,800 grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (CFSLOCO). This grant will be used to support Children’s Farmers Market program. These monthly, free farmers markets take place at after-school and summer programs in high need neighborhoods. Older children volunteer to station themselves behind each type of produce. Each child receives a bag and “Food Bank Bucks,” pretend one-dollar bills. Signs tell the children the prices and they choose which produce to “purchase.” Nutrition educators play games with the children and hand out tastings and recipes so families can cook with unfamiliar foods. Children walk away laden with 15 pounds of produce and big smiles on their faces, knowing they have chosen healthy foods and that they will contribute to feeding their families.
“Our Children’s Farmers’ Market program is currently serving over 1,100 children per month and distributing more than 200,000 lbs of produce a year. We are so thankful for the Community Foundation’s support of this program. It really makes a difference in how children choose their food, it’s great to see them getting excited about vegetables!. We love the long term health impacts this program has on our community!” – Heather Donovan, Children’s Programs Manager at the Food Bank Coalition
Food Bank Coalition was chosen to receive this grant and is among 24 recipients, whose grant total $193,635. This year’s grant making program is made possible through the generous support of the Foundation’s Community Endowment and many donor funds held at the Foundation. In only 16 years, the CFSLOCO has given out more than $26 million in grants to assist nonprofit agencies. For more information on the CFSLOCO or any funds, call 543-2323 or log onto www.cfsloco.org