Community Food Initiatives Named a Finalist in Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” Program

ATHENS, OH - Community Food Initiatives (CFI) represents Ohio as one of 51 finalists in the running to earn $50,000 for a community project that will increase access to healthy fresh foods for food pantries, and offer cooking and nutrition classes to food pantry patrons. Through a public vote at www.facebook.com/tomsofmaine now through October 9, local residents can help bring the funding to Athens County with the simple click of a mouse.

The “50 States for Good” program seeks to uncover local nonprofit groups that address urgent community needs and engage volunteers to get the work done. Community Food Initiatives’ project “Fresh Eats: Discovery Kitchen” plans to increase access to fresh foods and teach cooking and nutrition skills among food pantry patrons. If CFI wins, the Donation Station, an existing CFI program that distributes fresh local food from the Athens Farmers Market and area gardeners to food pantries and social service agencies, will expand to offer more support services to increase the ability of food pantries and agencies to offer more fresh food to their patrons. Additionally, cooking and nutrition classes will be offered for their patrons using the USDA My Plate model to increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

“It is our firm belief at Community Food Initiatives, that everyone deserves access to fresh and healthy food,” says Mary Nally, CFI Executive Director. “The Tom’s of Maine funding will help advance the Donation Station and new Discovery Kitchen program. We now look to our community to help build the support needed to bring this funding to Athens County, Ohio. “

Non-profits from each state were selected by an independent panel of judges for the “50 States for Good” program. The public vote will determine six winning organizations to share $150,000 in funding from Tom’s of Maine. The organization with the most public support will receive $50,000, while the five additional organizations will each receive $20,000. Members of the public vote by going to www.facebook.com/tomsofmaine. Each person can vote once per day until October 9.

Community Food Initiatives (CFI) is a membership based grassroots organization in Appalachian Ohio. The mission of CFI is to support a local food movement that expands fair access to fresh and nutritious foods for all people in the region. CFI’s initiatives assist individuals and families to grow food, develop cooking skills, and reduce their health risks by eating whole foods. CFI manages six community gardens, offers garden and food preservation workshops, supports school gardens in the Trimble School District, and manages the Donation Station program, providing fresh food to food pantries and social service agencies serving the low-income. Visit the website at www.communityfoodinitiatives.org or on Facebook.

Tom’s of Maine is a natural products company focused on oral and personal care. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 40 years, Tom’s of Maine has sponsored hundreds of non-profit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to the community.