Addressing barriers in the food-supply chain in the Puget Sound, WA, region with the goal of reducing childhood obesity

This grant supports the creation of a business plan with market and investment analyses for a farm-to-institution food system in the Puget Sound region of Washington. In a collaborative effort, partners that include the county health department, regional hospital association, school district, farm collaborative and an investment institution have begun examining the production, processing, sourcing and preparation of regional foods to ensure access to healthy foods in communities throughout the region. Activities include convening collaborative partners with the purpose of improving aspects of farm-to-institution purchasing; assessing demand at selected institutions; and identifying innovative efforts and strategic points of business development and investment that could catalyze successful healthy food access in the region. The primary deliverable will be a business plan, submitted within six to nine months of the start of the project, that will include a market analysis and investment plan. Whether this planning grant will result in a subsequent program-related investment (PRI) from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is uncertain; a PRI will require an independent review and approval by the Foundation's Impact Capital Committee. Other activities during the rest of the grant period will include pilot testing system models and additional needs assessments. Success will be defined by development of recommendations for processes and strategic investments that institutions can implement to make farm-to-institution systems more efficient and to increase community access to healthy foods.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $200,000.00

Awarded on: 12/14/2012

Time frame: 12/15/2012 - 12/14/2014

Grant Number: 70478