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Savannah Secured Grant to Combat Local Food Insecurity

The city received $110,000 to improve fresh food access for nearly 50,000 residents facing limited options.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Healthy Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wooden raised garden bed filled with leafy vegetables, representing local community food access efforts.
The City of Savannah has secured a $110,000 grant to expand community gardens and produce prescription programs to address local food insecurity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Are local food security programs in your area getting more effective at helping residents?

The City of Savannah received a $110,000 grant in 2025 to bolster efforts by the Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council in reducing local food insecurity. This initiative aims to address the needs of nearly 50,000 people in Chatham County who currently struggle with limited access to fresh food.

Why it matters

Rising food insecurity in Chatham County, which grew from 10.5% in 2021 to over 16% in 2024, has made access to nutrient-dense options a critical public health priority. This funding supports structural strategies to dismantle barriers to healthy eating for the growing number of residents affected.

Official data indicates that Chatham County food insecurity rose to over 16% in 2024 from 10.5% in 2021, mirroring a broader struggle affecting 1.4 million people in Georgia. It remains unclear how these specific interventions will scale to meet the needs of all 50,000 residents currently facing limited access.

The players

Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council

A local organization that develops strategies to improve healthy food access and manage community garden initiatives in Savannah.

Healthy Savannah

A community-focused organization that leads local wellness efforts and has been reorganizing the Food Policy Council since 2022.

The details

The Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council utilizes these funds to implement community-based food access strategies. This includes expanding produce prescription programs, which allow clinicians to prescribe fruits and vegetables to patients, alongside the development of neighborhood community gardens. These efforts are designed to create a more resilient local food system by placing fresh, healthy options directly into areas identified as having restricted access.

Timeline

  1. The food insecurity rate in Chatham County was 10.5% in 2021.

  2. Healthy Savannah began its reorganization of the local Food Policy Council in 2022.

  3. The rate of food insecurity in Chatham County exceeded 16% in 2024.

  4. The City of Savannah was awarded the $110,000 grant in 2025.

  5. The Food Policy Council received the additional funding in August 2026.

Health Landscape

This grant funding follows the pattern of investment established by the Nutrition Access, Affordability, and Education grant program. Such initiatives highlight a growing national emphasis on addressing diet-related health disparities by treating access to fresh food as a core component of preventive medicine.

If you or a family member struggle to access fresh produce, you may want to speak with your primary care provider about whether your local clinic offers any produce prescription programs. Staying informed about the availability of community gardens in your neighborhood is also a proactive way to find consistent, affordable healthy food options.

The takeaway

Addressing food insecurity is a critical step in managing long-term health outcomes for entire communities. Residents should ask their local health department or physician about current local programs that provide financial assistance or direct access to fresh, healthy produce.

Further reading

Learn more about local efforts to improve nutrition in our Healthy Food section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Savannah Tribune.

Live Poll

Are local food security programs in your area getting more effective at helping residents?