FRESH New London receives $25,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation

FRESH New London was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. The funding is part of the foundation’s two-year, $7 million commitment to innovative programs that are helping advance nutrition awareness, education, and fresh food access.

The grant to FRESH will be used to partially fund a brand-new assistant director position. FRESH plans to match the amount through fundraising and operating funds.

“We’re thrilled our grassroots efforts to transform the local food system are being recognized by a foundation as well-known as Newman’s Own,” said Executive Director Arthur Lerner. “We’ve already begun advertising for the new hire, and we’re sure the person who joins our team will be a great help in spreading our message of organic, sustainable agriculture in New London and beyond.”

FRESH, which stands for Food: Resources, Education, Security, Health, is dedicated to the issue of food justice. FRESH's mission is to encourage and empower broad participation in the hands-on transformation of our local food system, from what it is to what it ought to be: healthy, just, sustainable, accessible, productive and beautiful.

“There is great momentum right now in addressing the many challenging issues around nutrition,” said Lisa Walker, Managing Director of Newman’s Own Foundation. “We are pleased to award a grant to FRESH to support their important contributions in this area.”

Paul Newman, the actor and philanthropist who founded Newman’s Own, died Sept. 26, 2008. Now, five years later, his legacy continues as Newman’s Own continues to give away 100 percent of the profits and royalties from the sale of its food products to charity. Since the company’s founding in 1982, over $380 million has been donated to thousands of organizations, with $125 million having been donated in the past five years alone.