Program Focuses On Fresh Food Access

City leaders and volunteers helped out at a drive-thru food distribution event Tuesday. Cars lined up in the Indianapolis Urban League’s parking lot to have their trunks filled with fresh fruit, vegetables and other staples. 

The Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety has partnered with national nonprofit Partnership for a Healthier America in the effort to provide more fresh food to residents.

Waiting in his car, Lionel Dorsey said it’s been a difficult year and a half.

“When you’re on a set income and you’re a senior citizen it’s rough,” Dorsey said.

About a dozen local organizations are helping with the Good Food for All program. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said health food access is a priority.

“Besides just the provision of the food,” Hogsett said, “it’s the type of food that’s being provided.”

The 12-week initiative provides families with at least two servings of produce a day. 

The Urban League has been hosting food drives and serving hundreds of families every week since the pandemic started.

The city plans to use $6 million in federal relief funds for food access programs next year.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.