{"id":407229,"date":"2026-09-22T14:24:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T14:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/407229\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T14:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T14:24:08","slug":"florida-blue-foundation-awards-3-1-million-to-food-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/407229\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Blue Foundation awards $3.1 million to food programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 The Florida Blue Foundation<\/a> is awarding $3.1 million to eight community-based food initiatives across Florida, including a program serving Orange County Public Schools students and families.<\/p>\n

The grants are being announced during Hunger Action Month and are aimed at expanding access to nutritious food while addressing the connection between food insecurity and chronic disease.<\/p>\n

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools is among the recipients.<\/p>\n

Its Food Pantry Capacity and Access Expansion Initiative will use the funding to improve school-based food pantry infrastructure in low-income Orange County communities, giving students and families greater access to healthy food options.<\/p>\n

Eight organizations receiving grants<\/p>\n

Florida Blue Foundation said the eight grantees serve communities across several counties, including Orange, Flagler, Palm Beach, Broward, Pinellas and others. Programs will support groups including students, farmworkers, uninsured residents, homeless populations and rural communities.<\/p>\n

Other recipients include the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, Florida A&M University Foundation, Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, Homeless Empowerment Program, The Poverello Center, United Way of Northwest Florida and Waste Not Want Not.<\/p>\n

The projects range from fresh food distribution and school pantries to medically tailored meals, nutrition education and food rescue programs.<\/p>\n

Food insecurity tied to health outcomes<\/p>\n

Florida Blue Foundation said approximately 3.6 million Floridians face food insecurity, including more than 900,000 children.<\/p>\n

The organization says lack of consistent access to nutritious food can also make conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease harder to manage.<\/p>\n

\u201cHunger and chronic disease are deeply connected, and we know when we invest in food access, we invest in health,\u201d Susan Towler, vice president of corporate social responsibility and Florida Blue Foundation, said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The release did not specify how much each individual organization will receive from the $3.1 million total.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n

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