American Heart Association strengthens community nutrition access through new partnership

Author: Newsroom Heart
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Almost 50 percent of people in South Carolina’s Upstate region struggle to access healthy food, a challenge driven by income inequality, limited transport, and other social barriers. To combat this, the American Heart Association (AHA) is working with local partners to expand nutrition security and increase access to fresh produce and nutritious meals.

The Jean T. and Heyward G. Pelham Foundation has recently provided crucial funding for additional cold storage at Changing Your Mind Ministries, a Greenville County food pantry. The investment will allow the organisation to safely store more fresh produce, dairy, and lean proteins—foods often missing from the diets of low-income families.

“With this additional cold storage, we will be able to add another monthly distribution day and meet just-in-time needs upon request,” said La’Shawn Leitzsey of Changing Your Mind Ministries. The project aims to improve consistent access to well-balanced meals for households with limited resources.

Megan Ramsey, executive director of the AHA in the Upstate, described the initiative as a key step toward improving community health outcomes. “This effort supports our mission to increase access to nutritious food and empower our neighbours to live longer, healthier lives,” she said.

The collaboration underscores the power of cross-sector partnerships—bringing together nonprofits, faith-based groups, and philanthropy to tackle food insecurity and create sustainable, community-driven impact.

Learn how strategic partnerships are reshaping food access and improving community health. 



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