---

A healthier food campaign sprouting up in Asbury Park could lead to $25,000 in grant funding to help further develop community gardens on the west side.

Through State Farm Neighborhood Assist program, Asbury Park is in the running for one of 40 awards, according to officials.

The Meadowlink and Alliance for a Healthier Asbury Park submission was selected as one of the 200 finalist [out of an initial 2,000 submissions] for the online campaign that asks the public to vote for the top 40.

But time is of the essence, since the 10-day voting period kicked off Wednesday and runs through Nov. 4. Voters can can cast ballots up to 10 times per day, officials said.

Plans for the grant also include doing outreach to the corner stores in an attempt to stock and sell fresh and healthy foods, especially near apartment buildings and schools.

According to a 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment, over 62% of Asbury Park residents are overweight and 15% of adults find it hard to access fresh produce and healthy food. And, school BMI data shows that over 60% of students are overweight or obese, officials said.

Health concerns are further exacerbated since 34% of residents do not have a car and depend on corner stores for their weekly groceries, officials said.

“If small stores are able to stock/sell fresh produce and healthier foods, it will help the community have healthier options to buy and eat,” according to a written statement.

A long term goal includes reduce obesity and preventing chronic disease by providing training, incentives and equipment to small grocers who agree to add healthy food items to their stores, officials said.

To cast a vote and for more information, click here.

[photo courtesy of NeighborhoodAssist.com]

—————————————————————

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---