City Of Louisville Seeking Applicants To Help Create A More Equitable Food System

Louisville KY

27 April, 2022

9:01 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Louisville: April 25, 2022 Stay up to date on Louisville Metro's COVID-19 testing, vaccines and more LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 25, 2022)- The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW) is now accepting applications from organizations to improve access, education and equity in Louisville's food system. A total of up to $500,000 is available, which will be awarded to multiple organizations. Award amounts will vary depending on the pool of proposals submitted. The funds are made possible by a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) grant, awarded in 2021, that is focused on reducing health disparities experienced in the COVID-19 pandemic. "LMPHW's Center for Health Equity had already identified the food system as a significant root cause of health in its 2017 Health Equity Report. Access to nutritious foods can determine health outcomes such as diabetes, heart disease and oral health," said T Gonzales, director of the Center for Health Equity (CHE). "Inequities in our food system have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of 2020, many of our communities have witnessed empty food shelves, long lines at food banks and an increased reliance on community-based organizations to fulfill basic food needs." "LMPHW's Center for Health Equity had already identified the food system as a significant root cause of health in its 2017 Health Equity Report. Access to nutritious foods can determine health outcomes such as diabetes, heart disease and oral health," said T Gonzales, director of the Center for Health Equity (CHE). "Inequities in our food system have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of 2020, many of our communities have witnessed empty food shelves, long lines at food banks and an increased reliance on community-based organizations to fulfill basic food needs." LMPHW is seeking organizations who understand the current and future needs of our community and who are working to eliminate inequities found throughout the food system. While food security is an essential component of this work, LMPHW is also seeking solutions that not only provide greater access, but also increase collective community power in how food is resourced and distributed at a local level. LMPHW is seeking organizations who understand the current and future needs of our community and who are working to eliminate inequities found throughout the food system. While food security is an essential component of this work, LMPHW is also seeking solutions that not only provide greater access, but also increase collective community power in how food is resourced and distributed at a local level. "This is just one of many solutions needed to provide better access to healthy foods to all Louisvillians, "Gonzales said. "The Center for Health Equity is looking forward to working with selected applicants on bringing vital needs to communities. The end goal is to provide everyone the opportunity to make healthy choices so they can reach their full human potential." Applications must be submitted online by June 5, 2022. You can find the application here. Applications that are selected will be awarded grant funding according to their proposed budget within their application. You can find the eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions on the application page. If you have additional questions or need to request an alternate method of submitting your application: Center for Health Equity website Attend our Informational Session [email protected] ABOUT LOUISVILLE METRO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & WELLNESS Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW) is a nationally accredited, independent, academic health department committed to achieving health equity and improving the health and well-being of all Louisville residents and visitors. This press release was produced by the City of Louisville. The views expressed here are the author's own.