Grants Available to Improve Healthy Food Transportation and
Access in 22 States
CSX and The Conservation Fund support producers and
distributors of local, fresh foods in underserved communities
According to the United States Department of Agriculture
more than 23 million Americans have limited or no access to fresh and healthy
food. Many producers and retailers lack the resources and equipment needed to
sustain food quality and safety as they sell, store, package and distribute
fresh produce and others food to the surrounding communities they serve.
Now in its second year, the Grant Program for Transporting
Healthy Food is designed to support and strengthen local transportation and
distribution infrastructure for healthy food to communities in need. The
program enhances delivery capabilities of producers and distributors and
improves the availability of healthy food for nearby consumers. In 2014, the
recipient organizations used the grants to purchase refrigeration and delivery
trucks, acquire portable food chests and expand local food supply and capacity
to provide nearly 118 million pounds of nutritious food to approximately six
million people annually.
In 2015, grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be made
available to charitable entities that distribute fresh produce and perishable
food in 22 states where CSX operates-Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The grants can support a range of activities related to
transportation, including:
. acquiring refrigerated vehicles for direct delivery to
markets, food hubs or distribution center;
. financing mobile market trucks and food stands to bring
fresh food to isolated communities;
. improving on-site and mobile processing and storage-flash,
freezing, drying or refrigeration-of meats and seafood needed for distribution;
and
. purchasing produce boxes and cold storage bins to keep
unsold food fresh for the next day's farmers market or wholesale purchase.
As one of the nation's premier transportation companies,
with an important role in transporting agricultural, food and food-service
products, CSX recognized the integral role that distribution plays in
supporting access to fresh food.
"CSX aims to make an impact Beyond Our Rails-and one of
our largest focus areas is creating access to healthy lifestyles, including
food, in the communities where we operate and live," said Tori Kaplan,
assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility. "It's our job
to make connections across our 21,000 mile rail network every day, and we're
proud to continue working with The Conservation Fund to support local
connections between communities and healthy, fresh food."
"Local and regional food organizations are unsung
heroes working tirelessly to make healthy, fresh food a convenient, practical
and affordable option for everyone, particularly children and other vulnerable
populations, and they deserve recognition and support for the important role
they play in their communities," said Kris Hoellen, Vice President of
Sustainable Programs at the Conservation Fund. "With CSX's partnership,
we're not only helping these groups expand their food network, but we're also
supporting our local farmers and working farms-improving the entire food chain
from the field to the fork."
Grant applications are due by September 18, 2015. To
download a grant application and see more information about the program, please
visit http://www.conservationfund.org/partner-with-us/business/csx or contact
Margarita Carey at mcarey@conservationfund.org.
CSX has long been a supporter of The Conservation Fund's
work. CSX has helped restore critical habitats at two national wildlife refuges
through the donation of more than 13,000 trees and is helping reconnect
children and nature with the creation of a school curriculum unit. CSX is also
entering into its second year of working with The Conservation Fund on an
ongoing program that is improving access to and the supply of healthy food at
local farmers markets in underserved counties in West Virginia .
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville ,
Florida United States , where nearly
two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240
short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major
population centers and farming towns alike.
More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available
at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and
follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we believe that conservation
should work for America .
By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are
re-defining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future
prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all
50 states since 1985 to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land. www.conservationfund.org
Contacts:
Kaitlyn Barrett
CSX Corporate Communications
904-359-1037
Ann Simonelli
The Conservation Fund
703-908-5809
Manager-Web Communications
Visit us at www.CSX.com