Obesity Action Network Offers Garden Grants

The Alexandria Childhood Obesity Action Network is offering mini-grants of up to $500 to support community gardens in Alexandria this coming season.

The goal of the grants program is to increase access to healthy foods. The Obesity Action Network aims to create community gardens and nutrition classes for low-income people in apartment complexes, shelters, transitional housing sites, places of worship or nonprofit organizations.

Grants up to $500 will go to qualifying applicants. Funds may be used to buy seeds, plants, tools, soil amendments, soil tests, storage sheds and other garden supplies, and for food and supplies for nutrition classes. The grant funds cannot be used for salaries.

Grant recipients will receive gardening education and assistance in starting the garden from master gardener volunteers and in nutrition classes from master food volunteers. Applications are due March 29.

Online grant applications are available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YBGBTRT. Applicants with questions can contact Carrie Fesperman Redden at the Alexandria Health Department at 703-746-4914 or at Carrie.Fesperman@vdh.virginia.gov. 

This is the second year the grants have been offered.