Thursday, October 30, 2014

Foundation for Roanoke Valley Awards Grant to LEAP for Local Food

Foundation for Roanoke Valley announced today it has awarded $26,420 to LEAP for Local Food to support its community market in the West End Neighborhood.  This grant comes from the Foundation’s unrestricted Community Catalyst Funds and will be used to enclose the outdoor market so that vendors can sell their products year-round.

“Foundation for Roanoke Valley’s Community Catalyst Funds will allow the West End Community Market to be more permanently rooted in the community.  Enclosing the market pavilion has a tremendous impact on food producers, food consumers and the West End Community,” said Maureen Best, LEAP Executive Director. She added “A permanent year-round market space allows food producers to invest in their own businesses and extend their growing season.  The market provides consistent access to fresh produce for residents in the West End neighborhood and the community at large and strengthens LEAP’s SNAP double program to make local, healthy food more affordable.  The Foundation’s investment will nurture a stronger and healthier community in the West End!”

“One of the specific priority areas within our Basic Human Needs grants focus is promoting nutrition,” noted Alan Ronk, the Foundation’s Executive Director.  “This market will now be in a position to offer healthy, fresh food throughout the year, and we look forward to seeing the benefit it has on the community.”


Foundation for Roanoke Valley, the region’s community foundation, currently administers 300 named endowment funds on behalf of the community and works diligently to help local individuals and families establish permanent charitable legacies that will touch the community now and for generations to come.  For more information, visit Foundation for Roanoke Valley’s website at www.foundationforroanokevalley.org or call 540-985-0204. # # #

Pictured L to R: Dave Prosser, Freedom First Credit Union VP of Community Development and LEAP Board Member ; Tee Reynolds, Market Manager; Lucy Ellett, FRV Board Member; Michelle Eberly, FRV Program Officer; Susan Still, FRV Board Chair; Nancy Dye, FRV Board Member; Pat Young, LEAP Board Member, Brent Cochran, LEAP Board Chair; and Maureen Best, LEAP Executive Director

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