Family League has been dedicated to increasing food security for Baltimore residents through various initiatives, including afterschool meals, the Baltimore Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, and the Family Childcare Program.
Despite the efforts of diverse stakeholders, the prevalence of Healthy Food Priority Areas presents challenges that federal and supplemental meal programs alone cannot address. Sustainable, community-led solutions are essential for supporting the economic self-sufficiency of families and improving social determinants of health.
Building Sustainable Food Systems
One such solution is working with communities to build sustainable food systems. Family League received funding to support Black Yield Institute in the Cherry Hill and Mt. Clare communities' building of food sovereignty. This initiative aims to decrease childhood hunger, promote healthy eating, and create employment opportunities for community members, ensuring programming aligns with the community's vision for food security and economic self-sufficiency.
Black Yield Institute (BYI) has been working in Cherry Hill since 2016 to address community wealth-building opportunities and access to healthy, affordable, and culturally-appropriate foods. BYI's work focuses on low-income Black women and their families. Together, we are exploring the transition of Cherry Hill to a sustainable food system that builds upon existing community assets and improves social determinants of health.
To make sure young people receive nourishing meals each day, Family League has focused its nutrition work on reaching children wherever they are: at home, in school, after school, and during the summer.
Food Access Support Contacts
After-School Meals
Good Harvest Community Kitchen — Majid Zaghari, Vice President. 1901 62nd St. Suite 3906, Baltimore, MD 21228. (410) 982-0851, majid.zaghari@vincentbaltimore.org.
Maryland Food Bank — Nekeisia Booyer, Chief Programs Officer. 2200 Halethorpe Farms Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227. (410) 737-8282 ext. 231, foodworks@mdfoodbank.org.
Family Child Care
Cecil County — Christina Shirley, Human Services Supervisor, Cecil County CACFP. (410) 996-0253, cshirley@ccgov.org.
The Planning Council — Lisa Lyons, CACFP Program Manager. (757) 657-0716, llyons@theplanningcouncil.org.