The Food Trust

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LACK OF ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS, AFFORDABLE FOODS IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO DIET-RELATED DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, STROKE AND HEART DISEASE. OFTEN, HOWEVER, THE FRESHEST AND MOST NUTRITIOUS ITEMS, LIKE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, CAN BE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MANY SHOPPERS. OVER 2.5 MILLION PENNSYLVANIA (PA) AND NEW JERSEY (NJ) RESIDENTS RECEIVE SNAP BENEFITS TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY DIET, BUT THOSE BENEFITS REGULARLY DO NOT STRETCH FAR ENOUGH, MAKING NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS VITAL. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED THE ISSUE OF HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND WELLBEING, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND AREAS THAT HAVE SUFFERED NEGLECT AND UNDERINVESTMENT. AS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SNAP SURGES, AND BENEFIT AMOUNTS INCREASE, INCENTIVE PROGRAMS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT MORE SHOPPERS IN KEEPING NUTRITIOUS FOOD ON THE TABLE DURING A TIME WHEN EARLY REPORTS SUGGEST THAT FOOD INSECURITY AND CHILD HUNGER HAVE GREATLY INCREASED.IN RESPONSE TO THIS INCREASED COMMUNITY NEED AND UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR PRODUCE INCENTIVES ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA (PA) AND NEW JERSEY (NJ), THE FOOD TRUST (TFT), WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND INFORMATION TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS, SEEKS TO EXPAND ITS CURRENT THREE-YEAR GUSNIP PROJECT AND SUCCESSFUL COVID-19 RESPONSE EFFORTS WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM USDA'S GUSNIP COVID RELIEF AND RESPONSE PROGRAM. FOR OVER A DECADE, THE FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COUPONS AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE TO SHOPPERS USING SNAP BENEFITS. IN 2020, THE PROGRAM SAW A SIGNIFICANT SPIKE IN DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION, AND NEW PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH MORE FAMILIES. THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF THE GUSNIP 2020 AWARD AND GUSNIP CRR AWARD, THE KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES WILL BE: INCREASING THE VOLUME OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INCENTIVES REDEEMED FROM $750,000 TO OVER $1,800,000 (USDA AND MATCH COMBINED); MAXIMIZING THE INCENTIVES RATIO; PARTNERING WITH A TOTAL OF 35 BRICK AND MORTAR FIRMS (AN INCREASE OF 10); AND REACHING 75,000 SHOPPERS USING SNAP BENEFITS ACROSS ALL SITES.TFT'S ORIGINAL GUSNIP LARGE SCALE PROPOSAL HAS AN OVERALL GOAL TO DEMONSTRATE INCREASED FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PURCHASING AND CONSUMPTION BY SHOPPERS USING SNAP BENEFITS BY IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING AN EXPANDED FOOD BUCKS INCENTIVE PROGRAM AT SUPERMARKETS, CORNER STORES, FARMERS/MOBILE MARKETS AND OTHER NON-TRADITIONAL RETAIL OUTLETS. THE PROGRAM'S OBJECTIVES ARE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FIRMS AND GEOGRAPHIES PARTICIPATING IN FOOD BUCKS TO REACH MORE SHOPPERS; INCREASE FRESH PRODUCE PURCHASING AT PARTICIPATING FIRMS BY UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL INCENTIVES AND BEST PRACTICES TO IMPLEMENT EFFICIENT, REPLICABLE INCENTIVE MODELS; AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, RIGOROUS OUTREACH AND RETAIL STAFF TRAINING.TFT IS ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES, AND HAS SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATE,D THE NEED FOR PROGRAMS LIKE FOOD BUCKS THAT MAKE NUTRITIOUS FOOD MORE ACCESSIBLE. AS RATES OF FOOD INSECURITY HAVE INCREASED DURING THE PANDEMIC, NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS HAVE FILLED A KEY ROLE FOR MANY FAMILIES TO SUSTAIN HEALTHY EATING, AND FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMERS TO GENERATE REVENUE. FURTHERMORE, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASED INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM SINCE IT REACHES COMMUNITIES MOST AT RISK FOR AND EXPERIENCING COVID-19, WHICH ARE OFTEN, AND UNSURPRISINGLY, THE SAME COMMUNITIES FACING LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD. TFT'S SERVICE REGION INCLUDES URBAN CENTERS LIKE PHILADELPHIA, PITTSBURGH AND CAMDEN, AS WELL AS RURAL COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL PA. ALL COMMUNITIES CURRENTLY SERVED BY FOOD BUCKS EXPERIENCE HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY, FOOD INSECURITY, HEALTH DISPARITIES AND SNAP UTILIZATION. ADDITIONALLY, APPROXIMATELY HALF OF TFT'S EXISTING INCENTIVE PROGRAMMING IS LOCATED IN, OR ADJACENT TO, OPPORTUNITY ZONES; THESE AREAS WILL BE A KEY CONSIDERATION IN IDENTIFYING AND PRIORITIZING LOCATIONS FOR EXPANSION. THESE REGIONS ARE ALSO WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE OVERALL WELLBEING FOR RESIDENTS, AND FOOD BUCKS INTEGRATES WELL WITH COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EFFORTS TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY AND COMBAT HEALTH DISPARITIES.THIS PROPOSED EXPANSION BUILDS UPON TFT'S HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL, AND ONGOING, COVID-19 RESPONSE EFFORTS. ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION'S NETWORK OF PARTICIPATING FIRMS THAT SHARED DATA, IN 2020 SNAP SALES GREW BY OVER 50% (AND 70% AT FARMERS MARKETS) AND TOTAL FOOD BUCKS REDEMPTIONS WERE $380,000 (AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 100% FROM 2019). TFT ALSO INCREASED THE INCENTIVE RATIO OFFERED AT FARMERS MARKETS AND SUPERMARKETS FROM 40% (SPEND $5, GET $2) TO 100% (SPEND $2, GET $2) BETWEEN MAY AND SEPTEMBER 2020, AND SOME FARMERS MARKETS RECORDED AS HIGH AS A FOURFOLD INCREASE IN FOOD BUCKS REDEMPTIONS OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON. TFT EXPECTS THE NEED IN 2021 TO BE EVEN GREATER; BASED ON EARLY SEASON DATA, THE FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM COULD BE ON TRACK TO REDEEM OVER $500,000 IN ONE YEAR, OR $1 MILLION IF THE RATIO WAS INCREASED TO 100%, PARTICULARLY AT SITES THAT FEATURE LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE AND/OR INCENTIVES THAT ARE EARNED AND REDEEMED ON PRODUCE. TFT IS PREPARING TO MEET THAT NEED BY SUPPORTING AN INCREASED INCENTIVE AT FARMERS MARKETS AND SUPERMARKETS (UP TO 100% AS BUDGET ALLOWS), BY CONTINUING TO SUPPORT FRESH PRODUCE PURCHASES IN CORNER STORES, AND BY GROWING THE NUMBER OF FIRMS PROVIDING FOOD BUCKS TO REACH MORE SHOPPERS IN NEW GEOGRAPHIES.

EXPANDING FOOD BUCKS AND A NEW VEGGIE RX PROGRAM INTO NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA: A FINI LARGE SCALE PROJECT

LACK OF ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS, AFFORDABLE FOODS IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO DIET-RELATED DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, STROKE AND HEART DISEASE. OFTEN, HOWEVER, THE FRESHEST AND MOST NUTRITIOUS ITEMS, LIKE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, CAN BE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MANY SHOPPERS. OVER 2.5 MILLION PENNSYLVANIA (PA) AND NEW JERSEY (NJ) RESIDENTS RECEIVE SNAP BENEFITS TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY DIET, BUT THOSE BENEFITS REGULARLY DO NOT STRETCH FAR ENOUGH, MAKING NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS VITAL. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED THE ISSUE OF HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND WELLBEING, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND AREAS THAT HAVE SUFFERED NEGLECT AND UNDERINVESTMENT. AS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SNAP SURGES, INCENTIVE PROGRAMS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT MORE SHOPPERS IN KEEPING NUTRITIOUS FOOD ON THE TABLE DURING A TIME WHEN EARLY REPORTS SUGGEST THAT FOOD INSECURITY AND CHILD HUNGER HAVE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY.THE FOOD TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND INFORMATION TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS, WILL CONDUCT A THREE-YEAR GUSNIP PROJECT TO INCREASE THE AFFORDABILITY AND CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AMONG FAMILIES WHO RELY ON SNAP. THE FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM PROVIDES SHOPPERS USING SNAP AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS WITH INCREASED PURCHASING POWER FOR FRESH PRODUCE, TYPICALLY IN THE FORM OF DIGITAL OR PAPER COUPONS CALLED FOOD BUCKS. THE FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2010 AT PHILADELPHIA FARMERS MARKETS, AND HAS EXPANDED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THEN -- THIS PROJECT WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESSES IN HIGH-NEED URBAN AND RURAL AREAS ACROSS PA AND NJ.AS PART OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT, THE FOOD TRUST WILL STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND ITS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS, INCLUDING PHILADELPHIA, CAMDEN, PITTSBURGH AND CENTRAL PA, WORKING TO LAUNCH ADDITIONAL REDEMPTION SITES AND REACH A GREATER NUMBER OF FAMILIES. THE FOOD TRUST WILL ALSO REACH NEW COMMUNITIES IN RURAL, CENTRAL AND EASTERN PA AND NJ, WITH A FOCUS ON OPPORTUNITY ZONES. A KEY PARTNER IN THIS EXPANSION IS WEIS MARKETS, WHICH HAS A LARGE NETWORK OF LOCATIONS ACROSS THE TWO STATES. IN ADDITION TO GROWING THE PROGRAM TO REACH MORE SHOPPERS, THE FOOD TRUST WILL IMPLEMENT MORE EFFICIENT PROGRAM MODELS BY BUILDING ON A DIGITAL INCENTIVE MODEL FIRST LAUNCHED AT FRESH GROCER SUPERMARKETS IN PHILADELPHIA. THIS MODEL, WHICH USES LOYALTY CARD TECHNOLOGY AND PROVIDES INCENTIVES TO MORE ELIGIBLE SHOPPERS, WILL BE EXPANDED TO OTHER GROCERY CHAINS ACROSS EASTERN PA AND NJ. THE FOOD TRUST WILL ALSO EXPLORE INCORPORATING SNAP INCENTIVES INTO ONLINE PURCHASING. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INPUT WILL BE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT TO ENSURE THAT SHOPPERS WHO USE SNAP AND LIVE NEAR PARTICIPATING FIRMS ARE AWARE OF THE ABILITY TO EARN AND REDEEM FOOD BUCKS, AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO CONFIDENTLY PURCHASE AND PREPARE FRESH PRODUCE. EVALUATION OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARTICIPATING RETAIL FIRMS, WITH AN EYE TOWARDS TRACKING HOUSEHOLDS REACHED, SNAP AND PRODUCE SALES, AND CHANGES IN PRODUCE CONSUMPTION. IN ADDITION TO INCREASING PRODUCE PURCHASING AND CONSUMPTION BY SNAP PARTICIPANTS, THIS EXPANSION OF THE FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM WILL BENEFIT FARMERS AND FOOD RETAILERS IN BOTH STATES BY INCREASING DEMAND FOR FRESH PRODUCE AND STIMULATING PRODUCE SALES.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE FOOD TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND INFORMATION TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS, WILL EXPAND ITS CURRENT GUSNIP PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROJECT TO ADDITIONAL SITES, COMMUNITIES AND PATIENTS TO PROVIDE PANDEMIC RELIEF BY INCREASING THE AFFORDABILITY AND CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AMONG PATIENTS AT RISK FOR DIET-RELATED DISEASES AND FOOD INSECURITY. THE PROJECT WILL BUILD UPON THE FOOD TRUST'S SUCCESSFUL FOOD BUCKS RX PROGRAM, ENGAGING DOCTORS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY TO PROVIDE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THEIR PATIENTS THAT ARE REDEEMABLE AT PARTICIPATING SUPERMARKETS, CORNER STORES AND FARMERS/MOBILE MARKETS FOR FRESH PRODUCE. IT WILL ALSO LEVERAGE THE FOOD TRUST'S ESTABLISHED FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM, A HEALTHY FOOD INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE WHO USE SNAP TO REDEEM THEIR BENEFITS FOR FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE AT A VARIETY OF RETAIL OUTLETS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.AS RATES OF FOOD INSECURITY HAVE INCREASED DURING COVID-19, PROGRAMS LIKE FOOD BUCKS RX HAVE FILLED A KEY ROLE FOR MANY FAMILIES TO SUSTAIN A HEALTHY DIET AND FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMERS TO GENERATE REVENUE. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASED INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT REACHES COMMUNITIES MOST AT RISK FOR AND AFFECTED BY COVID-19, AS THE FOCUS IS ON PATIENTS WITH LIMITED INCOMES (ENROLLED IN MEDICAID). SEVERAL OF THE FOOD TRUST'S HEALTHCARE PARTNERS RESPONDED QUICKLY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND INCREASED VOUCHER DISTRIBUTION TO PATIENTS IMMEDIATELY (IN SOME CASES UP TO 100%), WHILE OTHER PARTNERS HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DEDICATE CAPACITY TO THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS MORE RECENTLY. IT IS CLEAR MANY FAMILIES WILL BE FACING HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, AND WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING, THE FOOD BUCKS RX PROGRAM WILL ALLOW MORE FAMILIES TO AFFORD A HEALTHY DIET. BY WORKING WITH CURRENT AND NEW HEALTHCARE PARTNERS, THE FOOD TRUST WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLINICAL SITES TO 30 OR MORE, DISTRIBUTE A TOTAL OF OVER $450,000 IN PRODUCE PRESCRIPTIONS, REACH MORE THAN 2,250 PATIENTS, AND BUILD A NETWORK OF OVER 100 RETAIL REDEMPTION SITES.

THE FOOD TRUST WILL CREATE A CITYWIDE PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR ALL PHILADELPHIA FARMERS MARKET AND FARM STANDS. THIS EFFORT WILL SUPPORT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIAS COORDINATION OF FARMERS MARKET OPERATOR RESOURCES AND DEVELOP AN ONLINE PLATFORM THAT WILL SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A REGIONAL NETWORK OF LOCAL AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES AND A VARIETY OF PURCHASERS. THIS PROJECT WILL EXPAND MARKET ACCESS FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND PRODUCERS. THIS PROJECT WILL RECONVENE A FARMERS MARKET ADVISORY GROUP OF FARMERS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OTHER LOCAL FOOD STAKEHOLDERS. THIS ADVISORY GROUP WILL GUIDE CAPACITY BUILDING AND MARKET PLANNING AND PROVIDE CONTINUOUS PEERTOPEER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITTING FARMERS IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS PROJECT WILL TO INCREASE SALES OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING WORKSHOPS WEBINARS AND THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY OF LEARNING FOR FARMERS.

STRENGTHENING AND EXPANDING THE FOOD TRUST`S FOOD BUCKS NETWORK IN PENNSYLVANIA: A FINI PROPOSAL TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRIC

THE FOOD TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND INFORMATION TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS, WILL CONDUCT A TWO-YEAR GUSNIP PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROJECT TO INCREASE THE AFFORDABILITY AND CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AMONG PATIENTS AT RISK FOR DIET-RELATED DISEASES AND FOOD INSECURITY. THE PROJECT WILL BUILD UPON THE FOOD TRUST'S SUCCESSFUL FOOD BUCKS RX PROGRAM, ENGAGING DOCTORS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY TO PROVIDE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THEIR PATIENTS THAT ARE REDEEMABLE AT PARTICIPATING SUPERMARKETS, CORNER STORES AND FARMERS/MOBILE MARKETS FOR FRESH PRODUCE. IT WILL ALSO LEVERAGE THE FOOD TRUST'S ESTABLISHED FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM, A HEALTHY FOOD INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE WHO USE SNAP TO REDEEM THEIR BENEFITS FOR FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE AT A VARIETY OF RETAIL OUTLETS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.IN PENNSYLVANIA, OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER, AND NEARLY A THIRD ARE CHILDREN. THE STATE ALSO HAS THE 24TH HIGHEST OBESITY RATE IN THE NATION. LACK OF ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS, AFFORDABLE FOODS, COUPLED WITH A LACK OF EDUCATION ON HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES, ARE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO OBESITY, DIABETES, AND OTHER DIET-RELATED DISEASE. AS A RESULT, MANY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NOW USE TOOLS TO SCREEN FOR FOOD INSECURITY AND ARE EAGER TO OFFER RESOURCES TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE FOOD TRUST WILL EXPAND THE GEOGRAPHIC REACH OF THE FOOD BUCKS RX MODEL BY WORKING WITH NINE LARGE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING SYSTEMS IN PHILADELPHIA AND PITTSBURGH THAT HAVE WIDE REACH IN THE REGION, PARTICULARLY WITH THE SNAP AND MEDICAID POPULATIONS. THE FOOD TRUST WILL ALSO ENGAGE A BROADER PATIENT POPULATION, INCLUDING CHILDREN, WHO STRUGGLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND FOOD INSECURITY. IN ADDITION TO EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF SITES FOR DISTRIBUTION, TFT WILL WORK TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL SUPERMARKETS AND RETAILERS WITH EXPANDED OPERATING HOURS AS REDEMPTION SITES FOR FOOD BUCKS RX. EVALUATION OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, WITH AN EYE TOWARDS TRACKING HEALTH OUTCOMES, CHANGES IN HEALTHCARE USAGE AND COSTS, AND CHANGES IN PRODUCE CONSUMPTION.

TO INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH BENEFITS AMONG PATIENTS EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK FOR DIET-RELATED DISEASES AND NUTRITION INSECURITY, THE FOOD TRUST (TFT)'S FOOD BUCKS RX (FBRX) PROGRAM CONNECTS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND FRESH FOOD RETAILERS AROUND A COMMON GOAL OF IMPROVING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE FRESH PRODUCE. BUILDING UPON OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, TFT AIMS TO DEEPEN THE IMPACT AND EVALUATION OF THE FBRX MODEL BY COLLABORATING WITH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND HEALTHCARE AND RETAIL PARTNERS IN PENNSYLVANIA (PA), DELAWARE (DE) AND NEW JERSEY (NJ). THIS TWO-YEAR PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROJECT (PPR) SEEKS TO DEMONSTRATE AND ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TFT'S FBRX PROGRAM MODEL ON IMPROVING DIETARY HEALTH, INCREASING NUTRITION SECURITY AND REDUCING HEALTHCARE COSTS BY REFINING BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPLEMENTING PRODUCE PRESCRIPTIONS. BY BRIDGING THE FINANCIAL DIVIDE BETWEEN DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CLINICIANS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FRESH PRODUCE IN SUPERMARKETS, CORNER STORES AND FARMERS MARKETS, FBRX EMPOWERS PATIENTS TO TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY, PROVIDING A DIGNIFIED AND SELF-DIRECTED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AND BRINGING HIGH-QUALITY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO THEIR FAMILIES. FBRX WILL BE COMBINED WITH NUTRITION EDUCATION TO DRIVE MORE IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES, LEVERAGING TFT'S EXISTING SUITE OF NUTRITION EDUCATION CURRICULA, ON-STAFF EDUCATORS AND TAILORED RESOURCES. WITH A ROBUST EVALUATION PLAN, THE PROPOSED PROJECT AIMS TO PAVE THE WAY FOR BROADER SUPPORT AND INCLUSION OF PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS TO DELIVER THESE BENEFITS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. BY WORKING WITH CURRENT AND NEW HEALTHCARE PARTNERS, THE FOOD TRUST WILL AIM TO REACH 1,000 PARTICIPANTS WHO WILL REDEEM AT LEAST $200,000 IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

GROWING LOCAL FOOD SALES TRAINING AND T

BUILDING BRIDGES TO SELF SUFFICIENCY: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO INCREASING LOCAL FOOD ACCESS IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA

FROM THE INSIDE OUT: HEALTHY FOOD STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND STABILIZE RETURNING CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES

FOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

CN FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT

FAITH IN FOOD: FORGING NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH HOUSES OF WORSHIP TO STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN FARMERS' MARKET IN PHILADELPHIA'S FOOD DESERTS

PILOTING THE FARMERS MARKET PLUS PROGRAM WITH NEW EBT ACCESS IN LOW-INCOME

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM