Mini grant awardees

LiveWell Garfield County announces mini grant awardees

PRESS RELEASE
May 20, 2014

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – LiveWell Garfield County awarded mini grants to eight local organizations, causes, projects and programs that support Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) and the goals of LiveWell Garfield County. A total of $20,000 was awarded to various projects and programs across the county. The LiveWell Garfield County Steering Committee reviewed 17 applications and chose the following eight in the May 2014 grant cycle.

The Town of New Castle received $4,066 so the town, River Center and the New Castle Garden Club can partner to start a community garden to grow food for the clients of the River Center, low income families, and residents who are unable to garden.

Growing Food Forward received $4,000 to partner with all three school districts, Rifle Growing Community and Lift Up to expand gardening projects in Rifle and across the county.

Rifle Farmers’ Market “Lemonade Project” received $3,094. Community volunteers will make and sell freshly squeezed lemonade, with proceeds from sales directed to fund participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) incentive. The sales provide SNAP shoppers with matching funds in market tokens when they use a benefits card at the market, up to six dollars each week. This encourages low-income shoppers to come to the Farmers’ Market, and helps stretch their limited food dollars while adding healthy fruits and vegetables to their diets.

RE-2 School District received $2,740 for its Recipe Overhaul program to increase participation in the school lunch program by partnering with Grand River Health Nutritional Services and gathering input from students on recipes and menu items.

Fat City Farmers received $2,000 for its Train the Trainers, Tend the Food Forest Gardening and Nutrition Experiential Learning project. Fat City Farmers will partner with the Garfield County Library-Silt Branch, YouthZone, Buddies Program and Garfield RE-2 School District to educate children and families in Garfield County about planting a garden and fruit trees, plus harvesting crops and preparing healthy food. A patio garden at the Silt library will be installed. The summer reading activities at the library incorporate growing food and healthy eating.

Grand Valley United Methodist Church of Parachute received $2,000 for its Abundance Garden. Church members are partnering with Growing Food Forward, District 16 and local gardeners to grow this garden and to eventually offer cooking classes. Food from the garden will be donated to Lift Up and low-income families.

Family Visitor Program received $1,100 for its “Eating Smart Being Active” program to educate families with young children about a healthy lifestyle across Garfield County.

Garfield CLEER Energy’s Bike and Walk to School Challenge received $1,000 to purchase prizes for local schools that participate in the challenge in 2015.

LiveWell Garfield County will distribute awards of $500 to $5,000 to qualified applicants in a second round of mini grants. Applications are due August 5.

LiveWell Colorado is a nonprofit organization committed to reducing obesity in Colorado by promoting healthy eating and active living. In addition to educating and inspiring people to make healthy choices, LiveWell Colorado focuses on policy, environmental and lifestyle changes that remove barriers and increase access to healthy behaviors. Working in partnership with obesity prevention initiatives across the state, LiveWell Colorado aims to provide every Coloradan with access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in the places they live, work, learn and play.