The Forsyth Farmers’ Market, South Georgia’s largest farmers market, recently received $50,000 in grant funding from the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to support community outreach programs designed to expand access to healthy food throughout the Savannah area.

A $25,000 grant to support the Forsyth Farmers’ Market’s 912 Food Farmacy program will be allocated to support the purchase of nutrient-rich, healthy foods, ensuring access for food-insecure families and fostering improved nutrition and wellness in the community. The 912 Food Farmacy program, which serves more than 1,000 community members, offers participants a free monthly nutrition class as well as free produce vouchers that can be used at the Forsyth Farmers’ Market or on the mobile Farm Truck 912.

Forsyth Farmers’ Market will use a second $25,000 grant to support the Farm Truck 912 program, which is focused on increasing access to nutrient-dense produce within local low-income communities. With this support, Farm Truck 912 will subsidize the cost of high-quality, fresh produce, ensuring that individuals in low-income communities have access to essential, healthy foods. This initiative aims to bridge the food access gap by fostering healthier lifestyles and promoting food equity within underserved neighborhoods, connecting residents with local farmers to support and enhance their access to fresh, nutritious produce. The 912 Farm Truck currently serves more than 400 people in 28 neighborhoods weekly, bringing more than 65 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to area residents every week.

“We’re incredibly grateful for this generous grant funding from Kaiser Permanente, which supports two of our signature programs focused on expanding access to fresh, healthy produce in communities throughout the Savannah area while ensuring that our farmers are financially secure,” explains Forsyth Farmers’ Market Executive Director Dr. Deidre Grim. “The Forsyth Farmers’ Market is ‘sow’ much more than a market. We believe that everyone in Savannah has the right to healthy food and are committed to farmer support, food justice and reducing food insecurity through our community outreach programs.”

To learn more about the Forsyth Farmers’ Market, please visit forsythfarmersmarket.com.