SitemapToday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the Youngstown
Neighborhood Development Corporation $498,880 to increase access to fresh
fruits and vegetables for Mahoning Valley residents.
The funding comes through
the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program, which was authorized by
the 2014 Farm Bill that Brown helped negotiate.
“Access to healthy foods plays an important role in
improving the overall health of Ohio communities,” said Brown. “As negotiations
continue on the next farm bill, building on the success of programs like FINI
is a top priority.”
The FINI program works to bring together community
stakeholders to improve access to nutritious foods for participants in the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Youngstown Neighborhood
Development Corporation was one of 32 grant awardees that received a total of
$16.8 million.
“This project, entitled Eating for Health in the Mahoning
Valley, will increase food access in the Mahoning Valley by broadening funding
to help SNAP/EBT customers purchase fresh produce at 6 farmers markets and
local food outlets and will also expand the Mercy Health Fruit and Vegetable
Prescription Program. The 4 year project is being significantly supported by
Mercy Health Foundation and includes over 15 project partners working together
to support families while increasing revenues to local farmers,” said Liberty
Avila, Land Reuse Director, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.
In 2014, Brown was part of the Senate Farm Bill Conference
Committee that successfully negotiated a five-year farm bill, which authorized
programs like FINI. Brown supported a strong Rural Development title in the
2014 Farm Bill to encourage economic development in rural communities.
Brown is currently participating in hearings being held in
the Senate Agriculture Committee on the 2018 Farm Bill. Brown is the first
Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 50 years.