Grant money awarded to 24 Milwaukee programs to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- More grant money has been awarded to two dozen different programs in Milwaukee to help increase access or give information about healthy foods in underserved neighborhoods. 

"It's about teaching people that healthy food practices are necessary, but it's also about creating the infrastructure that will allow us to have more healthy food throughout the community," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. "And particularly at this time when our economy is stressed as well as our health systems are stressed."

The 24 programs will share $400,000 in city-funded grants. The "Fresh Food Access Fund" recipients are in neighborhoods on the south, north and west sides of Milwaukee.

All recipients are required to match the city funds so the grants will leverage at least $800,000 for efforts that promote healthy foods.