September 25, 2026,  In Georgia, over 1.4 million people are considered food insecure. In Chatham County, food insecurity is on the rise, increasing from 10.5% in 2021 to over 16% in 2024, leaving nearly 50,000 people with limited options to feed their families due to the high cost and low accessibility of fresh foods. Food insecurity is also linked to poverty, obesity, and other diet-related illnesses.

To address these issues, Healthy Savannah began reorganizing the Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council (SCFPC) in 2022, dedicating a portion of funding from a five-year CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant to address barriers of the food landscape in Chatham County in key areas of food access, affordability and transportation. Since that time, the Council has been developing strategies to improve access to healthy foods in local stores, provide opportunities to expand local produce prescription initiatives, and promote and expand the area’s community gardens.

In August 2026, the Food Policy Council received additional funding from the Nutrition Access, Affordability, and Education grant program, bestowed by the African American Mayors Association, in partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America. The grant had been awarded to the City of Savannah in 2025 to promote access to healthy foods, improve nutrition education, and address affordability in underserved communities. The City directed that $110,000, a majority of the total $125,000 granted, would go toward bolstering the work of Healthy Savannah’s SCFPC in reducing food insecurity.

“Healthy Savannah and the Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council are grateful for this generous grant, which will be used to help us continue our current momentum and implement a robust agenda of goals starting in 2027,” said Armand Turner, executive director.

Members of the SCFPC met to plan those goals in late August, discussing long-range objectives to improve access to healthy food retail and promote community gardens, and its ongoing work to canvas opportunities to expand existing produce prescription and SNAP/EBT (food stamp) doubling programs.

“These initiatives provide community members with increased access to healthy options,” said Ruby Castro, Healthy Savannah’s deputy director. “For example, community members utilizing SNAP can double their dollars at Forsyth Farmers’ Market. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. The Council is exploring ways to increase access to these resources for residents in Chatham County.”

Wholesome Wave Georgia, the nonprofit organization that makes fresh, healthy, locally grown food affordable and accessible for food-insecure families and individuals across Georgia, does so through its Fresh for Less program. Results show that 80% of shoppers have increased their daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables and shown improved health outcomes. The program, which matches SNAP dollars dollar-for-dollar at participating farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stands, and local retailers, enables shoppers to double their purchasing power for fresh produce. In addition to better health outcomes, WWG reports that, since 2009, the Fresh for Less program has also contributed a total economic impact of $6.27 million dollars toward small local food retailer communities.

“Our goal is to encourage more local retailers to accept double-up bucks in 2027 and beyond,” said Castro. “We hope the program will eventually expand in Chatham County and provide more convenient access to SNAP doubling options for neighbors in Savannah.”

On the retail side, the SCFPC determined that a plan to increase communications and marketing efforts would be needed to expand awareness of existing food systems resources available in Chatham County. The Council is considering several options to help residents better use available food resources.

The Food Policy Council also discussed ways to expand awareness of community gardens throughout the city. They hope that by increasing outreach and promoting community garden tours, they can inspire more neighborhood groups to start a community garden.

“Community gardens play a crucial role in increasing access to fresh, nutritious food, promoting sustainability, and strengthening community connections,” said Turner. “They provide a space where neighbors can grow their own produce and work toward a healthier future.”

Healthy Savannah is also currently offering a free subscription to Sifter, a digital tool to help citizens find foods that match their personal dietary needs and preferences. Those who sign up can use it to shop at local grocery stores and make healthier food purchases. The free SIFTER app is available at healthysavannah.sifter.shop/