Partnership for a Healthier America

02/27/2026

“We believe that having greater access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables will result in a direct correction of improved health outcomes.”
-Pastor Thaddeus Williams, Tulane M.B. Church

With more than 120 years of service, Tulane M.B. Church remains deeply committed to social and economic progress for all. Located in Hinds County, where access to fresh food and reliable transportation is limited, the church has long addressed food insecurity through its pantry. They previously served 120 families weekly and distributed thousands of pounds of free food over the years.
With support from the GROW grant, Tulane expanded its impact, increasing pantry capacity to serve over 250 families each week. GROW funding supported the continued operations of the church’s food pantry by aiding in the purchase of fresh, nutritious foods, strengthening delivery systems, and establishing a community garden on church grounds.
Now, through a “sweat equity” garden program, local residents can actively participate while gaining hands-on gardening education. GROW’s investment empowers trusted community institutions like Tulane M.B. Church to improve health outcomes through strategic, sustainable approaches that address food access rooted in local foodways.

02/23/2026

Partnership drives impact, and our collaboration with Happy Family Brands is a powerful example of that in action.

Together, we’re advancing our GROW initiative to support local farmers and food entrepreneurs across the Mississippi Delta through investing in community-led solutions and leaders like Robbie Pollard of the Happy Foods Project. By combining resources and shared commitment, we’re strengthening regional food systems and expanding access to fresh, healthy food in communities that deserve it most.

Enjoy the photos below, where the PHA team had the opportunity to visit Robbie (pictured far right) and his farm to see this work in action.

02/18/2026

Ensuring that your littlest eaters consume the right amount of vegetables is no small task. It's no wonder that only 10% of young children meet recommendations for vegetable intake. But we know that eating healthy at an early age can help lead to a lifetime of health, that’s why our Veggies Early and Often initiative is so important. It may take some time for your child to get used to the taste of veggies, but keep trying!

02/12/2026

PHA is teaming up with iQpay and the City of Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment to pilot a new iteration of Good Food at Home in Denver. Through a new hybrid model, 450 families will receive an $80 monthly digital Good Food Card to purchase fresh, frozen, or canned produce at 50 local grocery stores.

This pilot supports our broader Good Food Cities work to expand access to produce and strengthen nutrition security across Denver. Dive into the Denver pilot and what we’re learning: https://www.ahealthieramerica.org/articles/pha-pilots-new-good-food-at-home-program-in-denver-with-iqpay-2524

02/06/2026

New state-level SNAP restrictions are creating confusion for families and grocers across the U.S. Some states now ban the purchase of items like Gatorade and granola bars with SNAP dollars, while others allow those items.

As grocers scramble to update their point-of-sale systems, families are experiencing new levels of uncertainty at the checkout.

Read the full story here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/business/snap-benefits-food-stamps-rules-health.html?unlocked_article_code=1.IVA.g3C1.Znerfy0CcRzo&smid=url-share

A dizzying array of rules govern what can be bought with SNAP dollars, confusing grocery stores and consumers.

02/05/2026

Did you know that February is National Canned Food Month? Often, it's thought that canned food isn't as nutritious as fresh food, but that's not always the case. With rising inflation, it can be costly to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. However, you can still access the nutrients fresh produce provides through canned or frozen fruits and vegetables.

Some canned and frozen varieties may contain sneaky ingredients like added sugars, saturated fats, or sodium. Just be sure to read nutrition labels and choose products that keep those ingredients to a minimum.

02/03/2026

Try out Sautéed Cabbage, courtesy of Rootswell, our work in the Mississippi Delta! 🥬

Did you know that fried or sautéed cabbage is a cornerstone of African American soul food? What began as a survival dish made from what was available and affordable has grown into a flavorful, nourishing part of Black culinary heritage. Today, it honors the resilience, creativity, and lasting impact of Black food traditions in America.

Save this one and let us know if you make it!

01/29/2026

Over the past decade, PHA has partnered with 60+ food banks to increase the supply of fresh, nutrient dense items through our Healthy Hunger Relief program. This past holiday season, in partnership with , , and we were able to stock the shelves of 14 pantries with fresh produce during a time of heightened need.

As cuts to federal nutrition programs continue to strain food banks and families alike, partnerships like these are more important than ever. Learn more by clicking the link in our bio.

01/26/2026

With support from Novo Nordisk, we’re awarding $100,000 to 7 organizations committed to making Indianapolis a Good Food City. Our goal: to double produce consumption in the city by 2030. Learn how we’re working together to get there: https://www.ahealthieramerica.org/articles/pha-awards-100k-to-7-organizations-committed-to-making-indianapolis-a-good-food-city-2458

01/13/2026

Last week, the USDA released the long-awaited update to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a key roadmap for how our nation thinks about nutrition and public health. These guidelines shape everything from school meals to federal nutrition programs, making them especially important for families across the country. Keep reading for our perspective, shared by PHA President and CEO Noreen Springstead, on what this update means and why it matters.

01/08/2026

PHA team members Amy Slechta and Leah Weidner traveled to Wichita last month for a Good Food Cities convening, joining local leaders to explore community-based food initiatives and align on shared priorities to strengthen food access.

Hosted by anchor partner the WSU Community Engagement Institute at Wichita State University, the convening brought together partners across the Wichita food system to advance strategies including universal school meals, SNAP access, support for local agriculture, and coordinated efforts to move this work forward.

01/06/2026

The USDA finally released 2024 food security data. Here’s what we know: 47.9 million people were food insecure in 2024.

While the overall rates remain statistically similar from 2023 to 2024, food insecurity continues to disproportionately impact families with children, single-parent households, Black and Hispanic households, and those living below the poverty line.

Read the full report here:

An estimated 86.3 percent of U.S. households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2024, with access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The remaining households (13.7 percent) were food insecure at least some time during the year. Very low foo...