Council OKs transfer to pilot grocery assistance in Winton Hills; program to target food access and basic necessities

Council Member Anna Albee asked the committee to approve a transfer of $250,000 from a general fund discretionary reserve originally set aside for the Financial Freedom initiative to support a grocery assistance pilot in Winton Hills.

Albee described the pilot as having two goals: increase access to groceries and put direct dollars in residents’ hands to stretch grocery budgets. She said city funds would go directly to Winton Hills residents for grocery purchases — including items not eligible for SNAP such as diapers, period products and cleaning supplies — and that a vendor partner would provide delivery. "This grocery assistance program helps address both by putting real dollars in pockets to help families stretch their budgets and bringing those groceries directly to people's front doors with the assistance of a vendor partner," Albee said.

Albee said census data show Winton Hills has roughly three times the city's average food‑insecurity rate and low car ownership, and that the neighborhood council had identified food insecurity as a top priority. The committee agreed to hold item 9 (a related transfer) and put item 10, the $250,000 transfer for the pilot, on for passage; the transcript records that item 9 was indefinitely postponed and item 10 was advanced for passage but does not record a roll‑call vote.

Ending: Albee asked colleagues to support the initial allocation so the administration can proceed with contracting and program implementation; the administration will return with vendor and enrollment details as the program is launched.