The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation have generously awarded $50,000 to Baton Roots to support the expansion of food production on The Baton Roots farm and satellite sites.
This contribution will help Baton Roots address the disparity of health equity in North Baton Rouge. Baton Roots will continue to expand farm production to directly serve those most adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, namely zip codes with the highest need as identified by the Capital Area United Way 211 call center for food-access needs in relation to COVID-19 (70805, 70802, 70811, 70812, 70807).
COVID has only highlighted the severity of the food gap in North Baton Rouge. With 40% of food insecure individuals being ineligible for federal programs such as SNAP and WIC, our neighbors are in desperate need of access to fresh, nutritious food. With Baton Roots maximizing its full 4 acres to increase production, 200,000 lbs of fresh fruits and vegetables are available to our most food-insecure neighbors. This includes our Harmony Garden at BREC Howell Park as well as three satellite sites at Scotlandville High, Capitol High, and Glen Oaks High. Baton Roots not only provides food to its community but serves as a community hub with plentiful volunteer and growth opportunities.
Baton Roots relies on the help of our community - including Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s Geaux Get Healthy coalition and the Walls Project’s network of over 200 partners including the Wilson Foundation to provide access to nutritious, affordable food as well as education on food cultivation and preparation.
Many thanks to the Wilson Foundation for continuing the fight against food insecurity in our community!