Community leader fights for overdue funding to support food equity

In a recent government meeting, a representative from a local organization expressed optimism about the impending approval of contracts that would allow for reimbursement of funds spent on food access and equity initiatives in Spanish Lake. Since March 2021, the organization has focused on supporting vulnerable populations through senior programs and a farmers market, successfully growing nearly 19,000 pounds of food last year.

The representative highlighted ongoing challenges in securing financial accountability from the county, recounting a meeting with County Executive Sam Page in 2023 that yielded no tangible results. In response, the organization mobilized community support, gathering over 100 signatures on a petition and actively participating in county council meetings to advocate for their cause.

Despite previous setbacks in contract approvals, the representative remains hopeful that the current discussions will lead to the necessary funding. \"We can't afford for it not to [come through] at this point,\" they stated, emphasizing the critical nature of the financial support for their ongoing efforts. The organization expressed gratitude for the initial award granted in 2022, underscoring their commitment to making the partnership with the county successful.