April 22, 2024

The San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program will receive $175,000 grant made possible by U.S. Conference of Mayors, American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America

ALHAMBRA, Calif. – The American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA), the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the California Beverage Association today joined leaders of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program for the presentation of a $175,000 grant to reduce food waste and help food-insecure residents. 

The city of Alhambra and Mayor Ross J. Maza received first place in the medium city category as a part of the 2024 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards funded by beverage companies. 

California’s beverage companies congratulate Mayor Ross J. Maza and the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program for the great work being done in Alhambra to address food insecurity,” said Rick Rivas, American Beverage vice president, California. "We’re excited to support this important program to improve the quality of life for the city’s residents." 

“The projects we’ve been able to award not only this year, but for the past 12 years, are excellent examples of innovative ways to support local residents,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of The United States Conference of Mayors. “We’re so proud to support these environmental and public health initiatives and we look forward to continuing to invest in our cities.”

“I am immensely proud and truly humbled that the city of Alhambra has been awarded this grant,” said Mayor Ross J. Maza. “This honor reflects our unwavering commitment to provide innovative and sustainable solutions in our battle against food insecurity. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of our residents across the San Gabriel Valley.”

Alhambra’s San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program is an innovative program that collects surplus food from grocery stores and restaurants for distribution to food banks and direct to residents to reduce food waste and food insecurity in the community.  The goal of the program is to redirect more than three million pounds of food to approximately 288,000 food-insecure residents in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley.

Alhambra was one of nine cities in the United States selected to receive a Childhood Obesity Prevention and Environmental Health and Sustainability Award from USCM and ABFHA as part of the 2024 awards cycle. This public-private partnership, now in its second decade, supports programs for enhancing health, wellness and environmental quality of life for children and families.

For more information about the Childhood Obesity Prevention and Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards, please click here.

 

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