Treasure Coast Food Bank Incorporated

ARP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL NUTRITION COLLABORATIVE (FANC): LOCAL PODUCE CAPACITY PROJECT

TREASURE COAST LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION FAC

TREASURE COAST LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION FAC

TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK?S MISSION IS TO IS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER BY OBTAINING AND DISTRIBUTING FOOD AND OTHER ESSENTIALS IN INDIAN RIVER, MARTIN, ST. LUCIE, AND OKEECHOBEE COUNTIES. THE PROPOSED VISTA PROJECT ALIGNS WITH THE HEALTHY FUTURES FOCUS AREA. THE VISTA PROJECT WILL SEEK TO 1) INITIATE GREATER FOOD SECURITY AND SOCIAL MOBILITY FOR WORKING FAMILIES BY CREATING A MORE COHESIVE, AND EMPOWERING NETWORK OF SUPPORT; AND 2) FORGE A GREATER SENSE OF COMMUNITY-WIDE EMPATHY TOWARDS THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD-INSECURITY AND POVERTY, TO END HUNGER ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND EXPECTS TO BENEFIT THE MORE THAN 91,000 FOOD INSECURE, AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER ACROSS THE TREASURE COAST. THREE AMERICORPS VISTA MEMBERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT BY PERFORMING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS 1) ASSET MAPPING, TO RESEARCH AND IDENTIFY ALL EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES/PARTNERS/MODELS THAT CAN COMPRISE THE ENDING HUNGER NETWORK; 2) IDENTIFY GAPS IN SERVICES VERSUS CLIENT NEED; 3) FORMALIZE PARTNERSHIPS WITH AGENCIES/PROGRAMS/PARTNERS/ETC.;4) ESTABLISH AND ORGANIZE ADVISORY COUNCILS OF RESOURCE-LIMITED FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN EACH OF THE FOUR COUNTIES; AND 5) DEVELOP AN EVALUATIVE TOOL TO MEASURE SOCIAL MOBILITY AND RESOURCE EFFECTIVENESS OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS.

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.