NEW YORK – The Specialty Food Foundation has awarded grants to 23 organizations working to break the cycle of hunger across the U.S. In all, the Foundation is granting $400,000 to 23 innovative organizations in 14 states.
This is the second round of grants made by the Foundation, which was established in 2014 by the Specialty Food Association. The initial grants, made last year, totaled $250,000 and were awarded to 14 recipients.
The Foundation works to reduce hunger and increase food recovery efforts via grantmaking, education and industry events. It is an outgrowth of the social entrepreneurship and extensive anti-hunger efforts put forth by members of the Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs.
Five of this year’s recipients are receiving grants for the second time to continue their work. Among the new recipients are America’s Grow-a-Row, which grows and gleans fresh produce to donate to “food deserts” in New Jersey, and Food Recovery Network, which through 160 chapters unites students on college campuses to recover surplus food and donate it to hunger-fighting non-profits.
The 2015 grant recipients are below. More information is at specialtyfoodfoundation.org.
• 18 Reasons, San Francisco
• America’s Grow-a-Row, Inc., Pittstown, New Jersey
• AmpleHarvest.org, Newfoundland, New Jersey
• Ceres Community Project, Sebastopol, California (also 2014 recipient)
• DC Central Kitchen, Washington, D.C.
• Food Shift, Oakland, California (also 2014 recipient)
• ExtraFood.org, San Rafael, California
• Farmer Foodshare, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (also 2014 recipient)
• FISH-Food Banks of Pierce County, Tacoma, Washington
• FOOD for Lane County, Eugene, Oregon
• Food Forward, North Hollywood, California (also 2014 recipient)
• Food Gatherers, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Food Recovery Network, College Park, Maryland
• Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Norfolk, Virginia (also 2014 recipient)
• Hidden Harvest, Coachella, California
• Homeless Garden Project, Santa Cruz, California
• Lawrence County Social Services, Inc., New Castle, Pennsylvania
• New York Common Pantry, New York, New York
• Second Harvest Food Bank, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Share the Harvest Foundation, Danbury, Texas
• Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Sikeston, Missouri
• Urban Gleaners, Portland, Oregon
• Working Landscapes, Warrenton, North Carolina
“Hunger and food waste are twin problems in our society, and these organizations are addressing them in creative ways in their communities. These grants will help them refine and expand their important work.” says Ron Tanner, vice president, philanthropy, government and industry relations for the Specialty Food Foundation.
The Foundation uses 100 percent of all donations for grantmaking. In January, at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, ticket sales to a special opening night party will be donated to the Foundation. At the end of the show, exhibitors will continue their long tradition of donating the remaining food at their booths to anti-hunger organizations in the Bay Area.
The Winter Fancy Food Show takes place Jan. 17 – 19, 2016, at Moscone Center in San Francisco. It is owned and produced by the Specialty Food Association and is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast.
About the Specialty Food Foundation
The Specialty Food Foundation works to reduce hunger and increase food recovery efforts through grant making, education and industry events. The Foundation is an outgrowth of the social entrepreneurship and extensive efforts in the areas of anti-hunger put forth by many members of the Specialty Food Association. Learn more at specialtyfoodfoundation.org and @specialtyfoodfdn.
About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.
Fancy Food Show Press Registration
The Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register.
Source: Specialty Food Foundation