By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–The Oceanside Community Foundation has awarded more than $98,000 in grants to help local families have access to healthy food, nutrition education and resources that support long-term food security.
The award was announced at the foundation’s annual Grants Award celebration on June 16. Organizers say the funding will support six local nonprofits providing healthy meals, fresh produce, school-based food distributions, family cooking classes and nutrition education for Oceanside residents.
“Access to healthy food is fundamental to a family’s well-being,” said Amber Newman, Oceanside Community Foundation President. “These nonprofits are helping Oceanside families meet immediate needs while building the knowledge, confidence and resources that support long-term nutrition. Together, we are creating healthier, stronger communities.”
Since 2009, the Oceanside Community Foundation, a regional affiliate of San Diego Foundation, has granted more than $1.2 million to 90 programs dedicated to creating a vibrant community in Oceanside.
Brighter Bites received a $13,457 grant to provide fresh produce, nutrition education and hands-on cooking experiences for Oceanside families, helping children and parents build healthy eating habits and improve access to nutritious food.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego received $25,000 to support the COOK program, which provides teens with culinary workforce training, leadership development and life skills while preparing healthy meals for children and families throughout Oceanside.
Feeding San Diego was awarded $15,000 to expand school-based food distributions that provide fresh produce and pantry staples to Oceanside families, helping reduce barriers to healthy food access and support children’s well-being.
Berry Good Food received $17,000 to provide intergenerational cooking classes, nutrition education and take-home ingredient kits for Oceanside youth and families, helping participants build practical skills for preparing healthy, affordable meals.
Lived Experiences received $14,000 to support the Families First Food Initiative, which provides after-hours food distributions and educational workshops for working families, helping residents strengthen long-term food security and self-sufficiency.
Women’s Resource Center was awarded $14,000 to provide nutritious meals, food education and supportive dining opportunities for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in emergency shelter and transitional housing, promoting stability, wellness and connection.
Organizers said the grants expand on the Oceanside Community Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting local nonprofits that strengthen neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life for residents throughout the community.
