Findings from a Multi-year Evaluation of the National Fresh, Local, and Equitable Initiative

In the report “Cultivating Community Across the Country,” social sector consulting group Learning for Action shares the findings from its independent evaluation of The Kresge Foundation’s Fresh, Local & Equitable (FreshLo) Initiative.

FreshLo is a grantmaking initiative that seeks to improve access to healthy food, ignite entrepreneurship, spur economic development and integrate arts, culture and community-engaged design to spark neighborhood revitalization in cities around the country. The initiative builds on and enhances existing community assets and strengths and uplifts community leaders to ensure that development is led by and for its residents.

Since its launch in 2015, FreshLo has provided $8.4 million in grant funding, as well as technical assistance and learning opportunities, to 23 organizations from around the country.

FreshLo offers lessons not only about how philanthropy can support neighborhood revitalization by combining food-oriented development and Creative Placemaking – FreshLo lessons also point to how philanthropy can do work that meets this historical moment.

The evaluation report includes:

1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. Lessons from the FreshLo Initiative
4. Integrating Food and Creative Placemaking to Nurture Aspirations in 23 FreshLo Communities
5. Building Local Democratic Economies in FreshLo Communities