City of Evansville and University of Evansville Partner on Nationally Funded Initiative to Expand Healthy Food Access

Evansville, Ind. (06/22/2026) — The University of Evansville's Center for Innovation & Change will lead a new community nutrition initiative after the City of Evansville was awarded a $125,000 Nutrition Access, Affordability, and Education Grant through a partnership between the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA). The competitive national award, granted to only seven cities nationwide, will support expanded healthy food access, nutrition education, and family engagement programs across the six schools that make up the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, which is housed at the University of Evansville.

The funding will help strengthen and expand healthy food pantries at each of the schools, support community garden snack walls at the schools, and provide family-focused nutrition programming such as cooking classes and healthy food workshops at family and community engagement nights. The initiative also creates opportunities for students and families to participate in planting, harvesting, and preparing fresh produce, helping to build long-term healthy lifestyles.

"Access to healthy food is fundamental to the health and well-being of our community," said Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry. "This grant will help us continue breaking down barriers to nutritious food while expanding programs that improve quality of life for Evansville residents. It is a recognition of our community's commitment to addressing food insecurity and health disparities through collaboration, innovation, and solutions that are driven by the people we serve."

The AAMA and ABFHA grant program was created to help mayors develop and expand programs that address nutrition access, affordability, and education in underserved communities. Grant recipients are selected from cities led by African American mayors and are recognized for implementing impactful strategies that improve community health outcomes. Evansville's selection places the city among a distinguished group of municipalities nationwide working to create healthier, more equitable communities. Other community partners will assist including leadership of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), members of the Mayor's Food Council including FEED Evansville, Tri-State Food Bank, Bedford Collab, among others.

Through this investment, Evansville will continue building a stronger support network for children and families while expanding access to healthy food options and nutrition education throughout the Promise Neighborhood and surrounding communities.