BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

To recognize Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) 75th anniversary today, four local not-for-profits each received a $75,000 grant to promote nutrition education and access to healthy foods. The BCBSMA 75th Anniversary Grants were awarded to the Urban Food Initiative; Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council; Project Bread in partnership with Lynn Economic Opportunity, Inc.; and Boston Natural Areas Network.

For 75 years, Blue Cross has maintained a deep commitment to improving health outcomes and the quality of life for residents of the Commonwealth, said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of BCBSMA. Many families continue to face financial hardship as a result of the economic downturn. With growing demand and shrinking resources, the safety-net services they turn to are severely strained. The BCBSMA 75th Anniversary Grants will help advance critical programs in the communities at greatest risk.

The four not-for-profit organizations were selected after a competitive process challenging them to develop programs to improve the lives of struggling families with children school-aged or younger in Massachusetts. Each organization takes a unique approach to advancing the health and nutrition of families facing economic hardship throughout the state.

Boston Natural Areas Network

This important grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts enables us to expand community gardening in Boston, said Valerie Burns, President of Boston Natural Areas Network. We can now engage even more people in the shared purpose of growing fresh local food, being physically active and building stronger, healthier neighborhoods.

Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council

"Blue Cross support makes the Holyoke Kindergarten Initiative possible, said Anne Cody, Kindergarten Initiative Coordinator for the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council. Here in Holyoke there is a large Latino population with strong preferences for culturally-familiar produce. Thanks to Blue Cross we can tie the students' cultural backgrounds to local farming and healthy eating, which is an excellent approach to real and meaningful dietary preferences. We can't thank Blue Cross enough for making the Holyoke Kindergarten Initiative a full, delicious adventure in local food and farming - kids learn better when they eat better!

Project Bread in partnership with Lynn Economic Opportunity, Inc.

Were pleased to partner with the Lynn Economic Opportunity Head Start program to introduce young children and their parents to healthy eating in an appealing and affordable way by bringing a trained culinary chef into the program, said Ellen Parker, Executive Director of Project Bread. This generous grant from Blue Cross helps us extend the successful work weve done in low-income schools to some of the youngest and most vulnerable children in the state.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Awards $75,000 Grants to Four Local Not-for-Profits to Advance Health and ...