What's Happening?
Schenectady Foundation Awards $740,000 to Fight Food Insecurity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2025
Contact: Aaliyah Outlaw
(518) 393-9500
aoutlaw@schenectadyfoundation.org
Schenectady Foundation Awards $740,000 to Fight Food Insecurity
At a time when nonprofits are being devastated by federal funding cuts, The Schenectady Foundation has awarded $740,000 to nine organizations working to make Schenectady County food-secure. These grants support a wide range of local efforts ranging from food pantries and mobile markets to nutrition education and school food system improvements.
Since 2021, The Schenectady Foundation has awarded $3 million to 15 nonprofits and launched the Schenectady County Food Council, demonstrating its long-term commitment to tackling food insecurity.
“Access to enough nutritious food has long been a challenge for many families in Schenectady County, and with recent federal funding cuts, the need has only grown more urgent,” said Robert Carreau, Executive Director of The Schenectady Foundation. “Now more than ever, we must come together to support one another.”
2025 Equitable Access to Healthy Food Grant recipients include:
$150,000 – The Salvation Army – To provide residents with fresh produce via portable gardens and promote healthy habits through growing classes and workshops.
$100,000 – The Food Pantries for the Capital District, Inc. – To help residents locate pantries that meet their needs and deliver food to those unable to travel.
$80,000 – Chef Ann Foundation – To support the New York Healthy School Food Pathway program, training individuals for careers in school food service.
$75,000 – Luken Daily Bread Food Pantry – To expand pantry hours to every Saturday (previously twice a month) and offer food to guests more consistently each month.
$75,000 – Bethesda House of Schenectady, Inc. – To expand monthly hours, increasing access to nutritious and culturally relevant meals for more families.
$70,000 – Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York – To support the Closing the Meal Gap program, which serves seniors through mobile and drive-thru pantries.
$65,000 – Catholic Charities Tri-County Services – To enhance the Food Farmcy program, which supports residents with chronic health conditions through nutrition education and meal planning.
$50,000 – Capital Roots – To expand the Filling the Food Access Gaps initiative by establishing eight additional Veggie Mobile market stops and healthy stores offering fresh, affordable produce.
$50,000 – Schenectady Greenmarket – To support the Food Box program, community food workshops, and cooking demonstrations using local and seasonal produce.
$25,000 – City Mission of Schenectady – To support the Bridge to Wellness program, providing fresh greens and vegetables to Mission visitors, residents, pantries, and food outlets.
Spotlight: Chef Ann Foundation Brings Fresh Food to Local Schools
The Chef Ann Foundation is a national nonprofit that partners with K–12 public schools to improve the quality of school meals for more than 30 million students. By equipping school food professionals with tools and training, the organization helps deliver fresh, healthy, cook-from-scratch meals that support the wellbeing of children and their communities.
“Chef Ann Foundation’s New York Healthy School Food Pathway is made possible by the generous support of The Schenectady Foundation,” said Laura Smith, Chief Programs Officer. “This grant will help us uplift school food professionals in the Schenectady area, providing them with the training and support they need to prepare healthy school meals. In turn, more students will benefit from healthier, scratch-cooked school food that supports their learning and success in the classroom."
Building a Stronger Food System
The grants will have an immediate impact on Schenectady County residents, including expanding pantry accessibility, improving mobile food delivery, boosting access to fresh produce, and offering nutrition education. Together, these programs aim to build a stronger, more connected local food network.
“Families should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. These grants, along with our broader food initiatives, are more than meals—they’re about dignity, health, and opportunity,” said Kirk Lewis, President of The Schenectady Foundation’s
Board of Directors. “We’re proud to support these organizations and the people they serve.”
