Health & Food

A sustainable food shed is a regional food system that meets local food needs, is economically productive, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. The Westchester Community Foundation is committed to a healthier community that reduces the risk of exposure to chronic diseases and promotes a sustainable food system in the region. We believe people are healthier when they have access to fresh, local, and healthy food. Local food production and distribution preserves land and natural resources, an important goal of the Foundation.

The Healthy Food Initiative fosters a regional infrastructure for production and distribution of local and regionally grown healthy foods. The initiative will support projects that are collaborative, community-driven efforts designed to expand access to fresh, local, healthy food. Priority is given to projects that benefit low-income and vulnerable communities.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• · Efforts to bring local and regionally grown healthy foods to food pantries, soup kitchens, childcare, afterschool, and senior programs.
• · Efforts to improve access to healthy food for schoolchildren in low-performing school districts.
• · Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and community gardens.

• · Advocacy efforts to expand access to fresh, healthy, local food.

Grant range: $5,000- $15,000

Requests will be considered throughout the year.  Interested applicants should contact Laura Rossi-Ortiz, Program Officer, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (914) 948-5166 ext. 4.  Invited proposals will be due on April 27, 2012 and July 6, 2012.

2011 Grants