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
Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council
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.
Nutrition News
Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council Sets Priorities for 2025, Starting with Community Gardens
The Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council has identified three top priorities it plans to pursue beginning in 2025 to ensure communities across Chatham County have equitable access to affordable, nutritious, locally and sustainably grown food. The
Healthy Savannah’s Faith and Health Coalition to host April 21 Faith Walk at Lake Mayer
April 10, 2024 – Healthy Savannah’s Faith and Health Coalition will host a free community event to celebrate health, wellness and springtime fun on Sunday, April 21 at Lake Mayer Community Park. Those planning to attend
Healthy Savannah to offer course on nutrition training
Local churches and faith-based groups will soon have access to extensive nutrition training through a partnership with Healthy Savannah. Ruby Castro is the program director for an eight-week course being offered through Healthy Savannah’s Faith and
Advocacy group concerned about food insecurity in Savannah wants new policies enacted
Armand Turner said there have been times in his life that he hasn’t had food on the table. “I come from a background of low-income African-American population,” Turner said. That’s why he decided to join the
Healthy Savannah Calls on City and County to Enact Policies to Improve Healthy Food Access and Equity
Over the past year, representatives from Healthy Savannah have been working with community advocates to redesign the Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council (SCFPC). Now, the group’s purpose, focus, and organizational makeup have been restructured to address the current barriers
WTOC: Advocates calling for improved access to healthy food options for Chatham County residents
See the story on WTOC
