LOCAL FARMS AND FOOD PRODUCERS RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM HOUSTON FOOD BANK AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH VIA ARPA GRANT, PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR COMMUNITY

About one in six Texans lives at or below the poverty level. But funds from a $3.5 million American Rescue Plan Act grant received by Houston Food Bank via Harris County Public Health is helping to expand capacity, operations and partnerships to assist families facing food insecurity in targeted areas within Harris County.

Checks were presented to four of twenty-two awarded partners.

Signed into law on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) is providing $350 billion in additional funding for state and local governments to address the negative economic impacts caused by public health emergencies; replace lost public sector revenue; provide premium pay for essential workers; and invest in broadband infrastructure.

In addition to the Houston Food Bank, Harris County Public Health has also awarded ARPA funding to Small Places, The Common Market Texas and Urban Harvest, Inc.

“As more than one million Texans in the Houston Food Bank’s 18-country coverage area of southeast Texas experience the struggle of food insecurity on any given day, meaning they lack consistent access to the nutritious foods which they need to grow and thrive, funds from the ARPA/ECOP grant will allow us to bolster the businesses of small local farmers and food producers while also strengthening the capacity of our food distribution partners to provide nutritious foods to those impacted by food insecurity,” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of Houston Food Bank. “Houston Food Bank’s partnership with Harris County during the pandemic was crucial, and the ongoing support continues to have a positive impact upon individuals and businesses in the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States.”

Houston Food Bank is excited to continue this important work in support of community partners in Harris County and Harris County Public Health and throughout its 18-country coverage area. “As our communities continue to grow, we need to remain mindful of the importance of our neighborhoods and the local communities,” says Greene. “Houston Food Bank’s vision is ‘A world that doesn’t need food banks,’ and to make this vision a reality, we will continue to commit ourselves to work directly with local communities. We also commit to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and across the community. We will incorporate and promote diverse voices and perspectives to address structural and racial inequities.”