Equitable Food Access in Indianapolis Neighborhoods
LISC Indianapolis and Elevance Health Foundation (formerly Anthem Foundation) announced in June 2021 that the Northeast Corridor in Indianapolis was selected to be the focal point of a three-year, $2.45 million initiative to improve nutritious food access and help build a more equitable food system. United Northeast Community Development Corporation led the collaboration for the selected proposal. The Northeast Corridor geography is bordered by Fall Creek Parkway (West), Shadeland Avenue (East), East 46th Street (North), East 30th Street /Massachusetts / Sherman Drive (South) and includes zip codes 46205, 46218, 46226, and 46219.
The Equitable Food Access in Indianapolis Neighborhoods initiative, funded by the Anthem Foundation, is a community-based planning and implementation process that convenes residents, community leaders, subject matter experts and civic organizations to develop a vision of equitable food access that will be translated into achievable strategies. Eight Indianapolis communities submitted collaborative applications for review by an advisory committee facilitated by LISC in partnership with Anthem Foundation and the Indianapolis Division of Community Nutrition and Food Policy.
A community-based planning and implementation process will now begin in this community that will convene residents, community leaders, subject matter experts and civic organizations to develop a vision of equitable food access, coupled with strategies for physical developments, programmatic partnerships and investment to achieve that vision. The neighborhoods will use a collaborative approach to determine which food projects will be supported, launched or expanded. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring all projects improve food access and economic mobility for the area, are community-led, and help build racial equity.
Elevance Health Foundation is deeply focused on addressing food security and the inconsistent and insufficient access to nutritious food, along with other critical factors that influence the whole health of individuals, families and communities. By addressing these critical social drivers of health, Anthem is focused on the unmet needs which can have an adverse impact on health.
This funding is an investment in a community-driven plan for one Indianapolis neighborhood; however, the initiative is built to be scaled to additional neighborhoods as additional capital is secured.
Program Funders
Anthem Foundation
Anthem Foundation
City of Indianapolis
