#United States #food insecurity #Norway #Grants #Simply Organic

Simply Organic's Remarkable Milestone in Fighting Food Insecurity

In a significant achievement, Simply Organic has announced that their Giving Fund has eclipsed the $1 million mark in grants directed towards organizations addressing food insecurity in the United States and Canada. This initiative highlights the firm's commitment to ensuring access to organic food, a necessity that remains elusive for many communities.

The announcement came on January 29, 2025, revealing that the Simply Organic Giving Fund Grant Program has awarded a total of $300,000 to five nonprofit organizations for the 2025-2026 period. These grants are intended to support innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the availability of affordable, organic food for underserved populations.

Sheryl Marchetti, the senior director of marketing at Simply Organic, emphasized the organization's mission, stating, "Food insecurity is a pervasive and complex issue affecting a vast array of demographics and communities, with access to organic food becoming an even more intangible option." The company's legacy in promoting organic products fuels its determination to address this pressing issue.

The recent data indicates that a quarter of food bank distributions lack access to organic food options, and often, the provided food does not match local cultural preferences. Hence, Simply Organic has deliberately focused its grant allocation on local initiatives seeking to alleviate these gaps.

For the 2025 grant period, five deserving organizations have been selected:

1. ### Matthew 25
Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Matthew 25 operates the Groundswell Café, a pay-it-forward eatery. The café is known for its handmade organic meals available to guests regardless of their financial capability. The organization will receive a $17,500 grant to further support its mission of providing healthy options to its community.

2. ### Project Worthmore
Based in Denver, Colorado, Project Worthmore manages the DeLaney Community Farm and Yu Meh Food Share Program. These programs focus on empowering immigrant and refugee families through community support and access to organic foods. The organization will benefit from a $100,000 grant to expand its operations further.

3. ### Dion's Chicago Dream
This initiative works to provide fresh, healthy food to families in the Chicagoland area. With a $50,000 grant, Dion's Chicago Dream plans to enhance its Dream Deliveries service, improving access to organic produce for 1,600 families every week.

4. ### TABLE
Operating in Orange County, North Carolina, TABLE aims to mitigate child hunger and improve health outcomes by promoting access to quality, culturally relevant foods. The organization will be receiving a $54,500 grant to include organic options and continue its essential nutrition education efforts.

5. ### Working Theory Farm
Situated in Washington County, Oregon, Working Theory Farm focuses on mentorship and employment opportunities for at-risk youth while addressing food insecurity among migrant farm workers. They will receive a grant of $78,000 to enhance their farming and distribution processes.

Frank Anello, executive director of Project Worthmore, expressed gratitude towards Simply Organic, asserting the company's impact on the lives of refugees and immigrants in their community. He noted, "Simply Organic has been an instrumental partner... allowing us to make a profound impact on the lives of refugees and immigrants in our community."

Offering support to Simply Organic can help consumers participate in the larger cause of combating food insecurity. The Simply Organic Giving Fund has been active since 2018, working alongside various organizations to promote access to healthy organic food. The pivot to a biennial granting period aims to provide more flexibility for grantees to implement and scale effective solutions, ultimately enhancing both short-term relief and long-term effectiveness in the fight against food insecurity.
For more insights into Simply Organic and its initiatives, visit Simply Organic's official site.