More than half a million dollars awarded to seven cities to promote nutrition access, affordability and education

(WASHINGTON) – The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA), in partnership with American Beverage, today named seven cities with African American mayors as recipients of significant grants to advance essential programs that improve community health. 

ABFHA and AAMA awarded the seven grants totaling $600,000 to cities across four population categories:

• Large-Sized City ($175K): Durham, NC
• Mid-Sized City ($125K): Evansville, IN & Jonesboro, GA
• Small-Sized City ($75K): Pine Bluff, AR & Laurel, MD
• Towns ($12.5K): Marianna, AR & North Courtland, AL

The announcement took place during the African American Mayors Association National Conference in Washington, D.C., April 10, 2026.

“It’s an honor to be able to provide this exciting grant opportunity for yet another year to a new group of cities. Some of these cities already have existing programs and others are planning new ones, but these funds will allow them to grow and build necessary healthy food and nutrition programs for their residents,” said Phyllis Dickerson, CEO of the African American Mayors Association. “The American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America continues to be an important partner in the fight against food insecurity. We are committed to strengthening the health of our communities and giving them the resources they need to thrive.”

Mayors in the selected cities will apply the funds towards resources such as neighborhood pop up sessions, healthy food pantries, nutrition workshops, community gardens, produce distribution and family cooking classes. The funds will help attract additional investments for the nutrition issues these cities are facing.

“Across America, mayors are leading the charge to expand access to healthy and nutritious options because they understand it’s fundamental to building strong and healthy communities,” said Kevin Keane, president and CEO of American Beverage and President of the ABFHA Board of Directors. “We’re honored to continue our longstanding partnership with the African American Mayors Association to invest in community-based solutions that expand access to nutritious foods, strengthen nutrition education, and build local infrastructure that empowers families to make the choices that work best for them. These grants support the kind of leadership that delivers results – an ideal that mayors have been advancing for more than 250 years.”

Since launching the partnership with the American Beverage Association in 2022, 24 cities and towns have received $3 million in grants to support nutrition and food access programs. 

Grant winners were selected by a panel of judges composed of former mayors chosen by AAMA. Descriptions of each winning program can be found below.

• Durham, NC plans to apply the funds to its Together Table, the mayor’s initiative to combat food insecurity and cultivate a sustainable and resilient ecosystem. The grant will expand its DINE public health nutrition program with culturally relevant pop-up sessions in neighborhoods with limited access, integrating cooking demonstrations, grocery tours, and budgeting workshops. Funding will strengthen existing food distribution networks by expanding delivery capacity and volunteer support to ensure consistent supply to neighborhood pantries and mobile sites.
• Evansville, IN funds will go towards the city’s Evansville Promise Neighborhood (EPN) Schools Healthy Play & Pantry program to strengthen nutrition access and education for students attending six schools, including healthy food pantries stocked with fresh produce from local food partners, additional freezers and equipment to help partners scale delivery capacity, and monthly food drives at schools. There will be vegetable snacking walls on playground spaces, hands-on family cooking nights, nutrition education for students and families, and students will help plant, tend, harvest and taste produce.
• Jonesboro, GA will use the funding for its Salvation Army Jonesboro Corps’ Food Pantry Expansion & Senior Care Initiative, which will include the expansion of its existing food pantry, and increased capacity through added refrigeration and expanded space for healthy, culturally relevant foods. This will improve food access for families, children, and individuals throughout Jonesboro who face high levels of food insecurity, also initiate the city’s Senior Care support efforts by enabling consistent, once-a-month transportation for seniors to the pantry and providing hot holiday meals for older adults who are isolated and living with disabilities that limits them from being able to cook during the holidays.
• Pine Bluff, AR will use its award for its program, From the Garden to the Kitchen, a youth-focused gardening, cooking, and wellness education program led by YEAH8. Funding will support hands-on activities that teach children how to grow fresh food, prepare healthy meals, and develop lifelong wellness habits. The program also incorporates youth media production training, giving students opportunities to film, host, and create educational content that promotes healthy living throughout the community. By expanding access to nutrition education, strengthening local partnerships, and providing safe, enriching learning opportunities, the grant will enhance YEAH8’s mission to empower Pine Bluff youth and families through health, creativity, and community engagement.
• Laurel, MD will apply its funds to general operations for two Meal Kitchens, a Food Pantry, and a Community Food Drop-Cupboard located near a designated Title I school. The Meal Kitchen programs provide light refreshments and hot, nutritious meals to those in need, as well as bagged lunches to clients. The mission of the program is to strengthen and promote community well-being by providing equitable access to nutritious meals, affordable groceries, and culturally responsive nutrition education. 
• Marianna, AR will use the funds towards its Delta Dream Food pantry, already a vital resource for families experiencing food insecurity, by expanding its role beyond food distribution to include education. A series of practical, hands-on workshops will be held at accessible community sites and cover such topics as Smart grocery shopping on a budget, understanding nutrition labels and portion sizes, preparing healthy meals using pantry staples and local produce, and safe food storage and handling practices.
• North Courtland, AL funds will strengthen community health and nutrition programming at the R. A. Hubbard Community and Recreation Center, helping establish a comprehensive network of wellness and food access services. Funding will support health clinics, nutrition workshops, and fitness classes, creating vital opportunities for residents to improve overall well-being. A key feature will be the development of a community refrigeration hub to provide cold-chain capacity, enabling regular fresh food distributions, pop-up markets, and “last-mile” delivery for seniors and individuals with mobility challenges.

Video interviews of grant recipients can be accessed here:

Durham, NC

Evansville, IN

Jonesboro, GA

Laurel, MD

Pine Bluff, AR

Cities of Marianna, AR and North Courtland, AL

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