Jacksonville is one of six U.S. cities receiving grants to help fight childhood obesity. The award money will go toward building healthy food stores in so-called food deserts, among other projects.
Jacksonville placed first in the large-city category in the contest for grants from the American Beverage Association. The $150,000 award, the largest given to any city, will go to support the local nonprofit I’m A Star Foundation in its Healthy Corner Stores and Let’s Move! Jacksonville campaigns.
The corner store initiative targets a part of Northwest Jacksonville with the city's highest diabetes mortality rate.
A news release says young people will partner with churches, community groups and farmers’ markets to make fresh fruit and vegetables more readily available at two new storefronts. The grant will also go to support youth-led healthy eating summits and the promotion of physical activity like biking.
