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The San Joaquin Valley is getting nearly $1 million in emergency grants to tackle food insecurity. Fresno EOC Food Services will collaborate with Central California Food Bank to help make sure food supplies get to those who need them most.On August 18, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) hosted a food insecurity round table for rural communities at the Central California Food Bank in Fresno. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small was in attendance. Together, they announced two Rural Health Care Recovery grants through the American Rescue Plan.
The grants will be awarded to Central California Food Bank, a community partner of Fresno EOC. The funding will support two programs launched in response to the pandemic: Rural School Food Distributions and Food Support for Farmworkers. Over the next three years, this investment will help feed residents in 19 rural communities in Fresno, Madera, and Tulare Counties.According to Feeding America, more than one in 10 people in Fresno County face food insecurity. Gabriela Romero, Fresno EOC Community Services Manager, says the funding will help feed farmworkers in Cantua Creek, a small community about 45 miles southwest of Fresno. “Food insecurity affects small communities, but in our small, rural, unincorporated communities, the effect is notably overwhelming, as this region is often referred to as the breadbasket of the world. Small towns like Cantua Creek usually face more difficulties as they are located at a distance from larger metropolitan areas. Accessing affordable and nutritious food can be challenging due to lack of transportation and high unemployment rates.  With this being said, we are happy to be part of this collaboration that ensures our local families will have access to much needed fresh and nutritious food.”Click here for information on upcoming Fresno EOC Food Distributions. Anyone can get a free meal at distribution sites.  No ID is required.

About Fresno EOC Food ServicesFresno EOC Food Services Program provides a number of services to ensure local families have access to healthy and nutritious meals. In addition to Food Distributions, they provide meals to pre-school and school-age children, youth and young adults, and seniors. Catering services are available to the private and non-profit sectors.

For media inquiries, please contact pr@fresnoeoc.org

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