A new documentary about food insecurity in Indiana is being shown and paired with panel discussions around the state. The Working Hungry explores the lives of Hoosiers who are employed but still unable to meet food needs for their families.
Food in Transit, launched in 2018 at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center in downtown Indianapolis, allows transit riders to connect with fresh, local produce at low prices.
Neighborhood Food Champions Named In Indianapolis
A local program that aims to increase community involved solutions to address food insecurity was launched this week.
The 2021 Neighborhood Food Champions chosen for the program will receive training and mentorship to develop a food access project. The proposals from 15 recipients include gardens, pantries and farming initiatives. Participants will receive $2,000 to start their projects.
This year’s program is broken up into two parts and includes four Neighborhood Food Builders, participants who have previous experience in the food system.
The effort to strengthen local food systems with targeted neighborhood solutions started in 2017. The Indianapolis City-County Council recently increased the program’s funding to $70,000.
Residents Turn Out for Food Distribution at State Fairgrounds
Approximately 1,000 families were served at a mobile food distribution site at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Friday.
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana President and CEO John Elliott said Gleaners doubled its food distribution in 2020, launching an unprecedented response to food insecurity triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The national numbers through Feeding America have been tracking 40 to 45 percent of those in line during the pandemic were due to needing help. Here locally, particularly in Marion County it’s been higher than that percentage,” Elliott said.
Gleaners will hold additional distributions at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Feb.22. and March 1st.