Aetna Foundation Announces Launch of the 2015 GoLocal: Cultivating Healthy Communities Grants Program
The Aetna Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the 2015 GoLocal: Cultivating Healthy Communities grants program. In recent years, the Aetna Foundation has placed increased emphasis on supporting local programs that improve access to locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved communities. Beyond bringing a richer array of nutritious foods to people, these programs by nature bring communities closer together — people of all ages come together to plan and nurture gardens, take part in farming activities and visit markets where a full array of fruits and vegetables is available.
For 2015, they are launching an Open RFP called Local Roots: Supporting Community Gardens, Urban Farms and Farmers Markets. Through this RFP Aetna will fund the creation and expansion of community gardens, urban farms and farmers markets in underserved neighborhoods so that fresh fruits and vegetables are locally available, accessible and affordable.
Beyond the gardens, farms or farmers markets themselves, successful applicants must have programs that also engage local residents in one or more of the following:
- Nutrition education and/or cooking classes that improve knowledge and skills about the health benefits of fresh produce;
- Cultivating and/or distributing produce that reflects local ethnic and cultural food traditions;
- Providing ways to learn job skills and/or entrepreneurship (within the context of the gardens, farms and markets); and/or
- Generating opportunities for people to support the project through community service or volunteer work.