Boston, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Lower-income residents of Boston's Mattapan, Roxbury and Dorchester neighborhoods often lack access to fresh produce. To help residents grow their own vegetables, the Urban Farming Institute of Boston built and installed backyard grow boxes. The Institute provides one-on-one support to participating families, heling them learn about gardening and cooking techniques. They also host a virtual cooking show -- Destination Cuisine -- featuring local chefs and culturally relevant recipes to inspire residents to prepare healthy, delicious meals.

Munich, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project will help a local nonprofit grocery store, which provides fresh, affordable food to local residents, to transition to self-service operations. This will enable individuals within the community to access groceries at almost any time.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Milwaukee, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Organizers with Milwaukee Turners hoped to break down barriers between different neighborhoods, all while eduating residents about healthy eating. The nonprofit worked with local community organizations to host walking tours through the Riverwest-Harambee, Metcalfe Park and Walker's Point/South Side neighborhoods. Recognizing that Milwaukee remains segregated, organizers intentionally chose participating neighborhoods from across the city to showcase the community's diversity. People who lived or worked in each neighborhood led the tours, where they shared personal stories and area history. In turn, walk participants asked questions and discussed their own lived experiences. Each walk culminated in a cooking demonstration. Many parts of Milwaukee are food deserts, so featured recipes incorporated healthy, affordable ingredients that residents can easily obtain in their neighborhoods. In the future, Milwaukee Turners hopes to host more walks in additional areas of Milwaukee.