Tacony Academy has joined forces with Red Rabbit and the Food Bank of South Jersey in an effort to combat “food insecurity” in the region. Building upon their existing partnership, Tacony Academy opens up its elementary school kitchen to Red Rabbit throughout the summer to prepare homemade meals that are distributed to local South Jersey residents.
One of four American Paradigm Schools located in North and Northeast Philadelphia, Tacony Academy has joined the black-owned food service management company, Red Rabbit, in its mission to uplift “underserved communities of color” by providing “culturally responsive,” nutritious and delicious meals. The first school in Philadelphia to collaborate with Red Rabbit, Tacony Academy serves as a crucial partner, providing the infrastructure to prepare meals that will be supplied to the Food Bank of South Jersey. The collaborative effort is an extension of a year-round partnership to provide children with fresh meals.
“At Tacony Academy, we are committed to ensuring our students and the broader community have access to nutritious meals year-round,” Tacony Academy CEO and principal Naimah Wimberly said. “This partnership with Red Rabbit and the Food Bank of South Jersey represents a significant step in our joint efforts to combat ‘food insecurity’ and create a positive impact in the lives of our families.”
The effort is a model of collaboration. Tacony Academy provides the essential and fully equipped kitchen and cooking space. Red Rabbit produces freshly prepared meals from scratch. The Food Bank of South Jersey takes charge of distribution to various sites in South Jersey serving families throughout the summer.
“Children deserve nourishing and ‘culturally affirming’ meals year-round and it is our privilege to work with such wonderful partners to ensure that the South Jersey community has equal access to good food in the summer,” Red Rabbit vice president of partner relations Nausher Khan said. “This program helps ensure that they enjoy their summer and start the new school year well positioned to succeed.”
The Food Bank of South Jersey Summer Meals Program currently serves close to 1,000 lunches per day, along with breakfast, snacks and some dinners to children across its four-county service area. The Food Bank of South Jersey Summer Meals Program aims to bridge the summer “meal gap” when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. The new partnership has expanded their impact, reaching 27 sites and serving about 1,330 children across the region.
“Summer should be about fun, not worry,” Food Bank of South Jersey President and CEO Fred Wasiak said. “That is why we are proud to partner with great organizations like these to end summer hunger in our communities. When we come together, we can truly make a difference in South Jersey and beyond for those facing ‘food insecurity’.”
