CSX, Conservation Fund solicit grant applications for food program

Grant applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Transporting Healthy Food Program, presented by CSX Corp. and The Conservation Fund.

Now in its second year, the grant program for Transporting Healthy Food is designed to support and strengthen local transportation and distribution infrastructure for healthy food to communities in need. The program enhances delivery capabilities of producers and distributors and improves the availability of healthy food for nearby consumers, according to a CSX press release.

The 2015 grants will range from $2,500 to $10,000. They will be made available to charitable organizations that distribute fresh produce and perishable food in 22 states where CSX operates: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Last year, recipient organizations used the grants to purchase refrigeration and delivery trucks, acquire portable food chests and expand local food supply and capacity to provide nearly 118 million pounds of nutritious food to 6 million people annually.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 23 million Americans have limited or no access to fresh and healthy food. Many producers and retailers lack the resources and equipment needed to sustain food quality and safety as they sell, store, package and distribute fresh produce and others food to the communities they serve, CSX officials said.

“It’s our job to make connections across our 21,000 mile rail network every day, and we’re proud to continue working with The Conservation Fund to support local connections between communities and healthy, fresh food,” said Tori Kaplan, CSX assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility.