December  2016
 
  
 
It has been an exciting year for the SC Food Access Task Force and our efforts to increase access to healthy food throughout South Carolina. To recap some of the highlights, together we:
 
  • Launched the monthly SC Food Access Newsletter in January in an effort to keep food access advocates across the state informed on HFFI policy updates as well as food access related programs, news, and events.
  • Secured $250,000 in funding for the South Carolina Healthy Food Financing Initiative from the S.C. General Assembly in the 2016 legislative session. The task force began advocating for funding in 2012 as a tool to increase access to healthy food in food desert communities throughout the state.
  • Made updates to the look and structure of the SC Food Access Task Force Website.
  • Held the second annual SC Food Access Summit. The summit brought together more than 150 individuals from across sectors and highlighted efforts that improve access to healthy food for South Carolinians with limited financial resources.
  • Released an update to the 2014 report "Access to Healthy Food in South Carolina." The report update provides a summary of progress that has been made since the initial report was released along with updated recommendations, success stories, and calls to action.

 

As we reflect on the past year and celebrate our work we are grateful for you - the partners in our mission who have made this progress possible. We wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to continuing to work together to increase access to heathy food in the new year.

In partnership,
Anna Hamilton Lewin
Chief Operating Officer
News
Feeding Innovation is a small business training program that provides business owners with the framework and skill to develop and grow a small business.  Will Culler, expert facilitators, and a team of mentors will utilize an interactive process to help owners create/update... Read More ...»

As founder of Lowcountry Street Grocery, it is the mission of Lindsey Barrow to give all people in Charleston access to affordable, healthy, local food.  He set out on foot in North Charleston for a mid-day grocery trip in order to illustrate the importance of his mission...Read More ...»
  

The South Carolina Food Policy Council (SCFPC) is working to identify food policy priorities for our state.  To ensure these priorities align with the work that has already taken place due to efforts of many of you, we are seeking any South Carolina based reports, studies, or...Read More ...»
  

Upcoming Events
Nov 3rd - May 10th l Catawba & Midlands Regions
These workshops will offer critical opportunities for local peer and resource networking, as well as provide additional instruction on production topics tailored for each region and managed by regional partners.  More Information 

December 1st, 2016  l 3:00pm-8:00pm l Charleston, SC
Walk Bike BCD will guide short- and long-term transportation and land use planning decisions to address walking and biking access in the BCD Region.

December 12th, 2016 l 6:00pm-9:00pm l Florence, SC
After eight weeks of training and planning, five entrepreneurs will pitch their healthy food business plans to a panel of judges for a chance to win $12,500. The event is free and open to the public.  More Information  

 
Since 2004, we have provided 309 loans for $37.6 million in f inancing
that facilitated more than $235.7 million in community development projects; we
financed 1,348 housing units, 9 healthy food enterprises, 10 community facilities, and 14
c ommunity businesses, creating or retaining 2,929 jobs and providing a safe,
affordable place to call home for 3,370 individuals and families.