More than 35,000 people in Savannah are affected by nutrition insecurity, which is the inability to access fruits, vegetables, and nutritious foods due to factors such as income, education, and/or residence location. The Nutrition Program aims to close this gap by partnering with other organizations to provide Chatham County with the resources necessary to adopt a healthier life through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health CDC grant.
Savannah/Chatham Food Policy Council
Healthy Check Out
Engage in Health
Supporting Wellness at Food Pantries
Community Impact
Fresh Express Program Improves Nutritious Food Access for Savannah Communities
1 in 4 children in Coastal Georgia is at risk for hunger, according to America’s Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire. Just outside one of the nation’s largest historic districts, our Savannah neighbors are choosing between rent and food for their families. In 2017, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia launched Fresh Express, a monthly produce distribution program to provide additional access to nutritious foods to healthy food priority areas within our community. With an increase in participation and a growing need for access points, Fresh Express expanded to a second distribution site in July 2019.
The additional distribution location provided access on both the East and West sides of Savannah each month and increased the average number of people served to 204 individuals.
Bringing Affordable Healthy Food Choices to Your Corner Store
Nutrition insecurity, the inability to access fruits, vegetables, and nutritious foods, affects over 35,000 people in Savannah, Georgia. This issue impacts people residing in food apartheid areas, or communities in which social inequities cause nutrition insecurity. While grocery stores are not available in food apartheid areas, neighborhood corner stores that offer foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium are common. Healthy Savannah launched the Healthy Corner Store Initiative, a partnership with local corner store owners to bring healthy choices to the community. Seven stores have enrolled in the initiative, and positive responses from the community and local government will increase participation.
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