Too many Baltimore children and families lack access to the nutritious foods they need to grow, thrive and succeed.
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.
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 community’s building of food sovereignty. This initiative aims to decrease childhood hunger, promote healthy eating, and create employment opportunities for community members. This involves continued participation in city-wide efforts and partnering with the community to ensure programming aligns with their vision for food security and economic self-sufficiency.
Black Yield Institute (BYI), which 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, representing a significant portion of the population. Together, we are exploring the transition of Cherry Hill to a sustainable food system building upon existing community assets, and designing a concept that focuses on community wealth building and improving social determinants of health.
To make sure young people are receiving 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.
As of 9/30/23 please reach out to the following organizations for Food Access support:
After-School Meals
Good Harvest Community Kitchen
Majid Zaghari
Vice President
1901 62nd St. Suite 3906
Baltimore, MD 21228
(410) 982-0851
Maryland Food Bank
Nekeisia Booyer
Chief Programs Officer
2200 Halethorpe Farms Rd
Baltimore, MD 21227
(410) 737-8282 ext. 231
Family Child Care
Cecil County
Christina Shirley, Human Services Supervisor Cecil County CACFP
410-996-0253
The Planning Council
Lisa Lyons, CACFP Program Manager
757-657-0716
